Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back condition was denied, but he was granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability prior to December 10, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, as well as for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand is due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and remanded it due to new evidence. The neck injury with degenerative changes rating is also being remanded, as well as the TDIU issue.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder are also remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of current diagnoses in the medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 25, 2022.

The Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 30 percent is granted.,TDIU from February 28, 2008, is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during flare-ups, as it was in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right leg disorder (other than right knee sprain with degenerative joint disease) as the evidence did not support that any current disability was incurred in or caused by active service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was granted a 40 percent rating from September 17, 2019 to July 25, 2022. The right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were each granted a 20 percent rating effective August 27, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's neck, back, and left ear hearing loss claims are being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back, right knee, plantar fasciitis disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability was granted effective June 6, 2016. The Board found that the initial claim remained pending despite subsequent final decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine is related to her service. The Veteran contends that her current condition is a result of heavy lifting during her time as an Air Passenger Specialist/Supervisor, which she claims caused her back pain since service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted increased ratings. The back disability is rated at 40 percent from December 29, 2015 to March 30, 2017.

The Veteran's disability rating for his back disability was increased from 10% to 40% effective October 26, 2021. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues are not currently before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from January 1, 2017, but not earlier.,For the period from May 8, 2013, to December 31, 2016, the Veteran's employment did not meet the criteria for TDIU as his income exceeded the poverty threshold.