Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship between the condition and military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board in May 2020. The VA will now review this evidence and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's cervical strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis (back disability), right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper and left upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and knee limitations are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for several disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral knee and foot disabilities, a vision disability, and a low back disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain information about the Veteran's periods of active duty, conduct VA examinations, and determine the current severity of his service-connected left inguinal hernia, torn right hamstring, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for a lower back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 10, 2018, due to service-connected depressive disorder. He also qualified for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's low back disability prior to July 30, 2020, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating based on the limited range of motion and lack of IVDS requiring bed rest.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning and lack of examination for determining whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD was granted. Service connection for bradycardia, GERD, lower back disability, and lung nodules were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period, while his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and meniscus tear are each rated with separate disability ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is now rated at 40 percent effective January 3, 2022. Other ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and increased ratings for his back disability. The Board finds that the claims are not properly before it due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's appeal of an earlier effective date for his bilateral knee disabilities constitutes a freestanding effective date claim, which VA has no authority to adjudicate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and PTSD due to potential increases in severity.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated lower extremity radicular symptoms are currently rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 2014, and 40 percent from July 17, 2014. The Board has found that higher ratings are not warranted for either period.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radicular symptoms have been rated at 10 percent prior to March 6, 2013, and 20 percent since then. The Board has also found that higher ratings are not warranted for these periods.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but has remanded the issues regarding bilateral femoral neuritis and service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lower back condition, which was not previously examined for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disorder, and right ankle disorder. The additional medical evidence must be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a disability rating of 40 percent from December 21, 2007 to January 9, 2013 and from April 21, 2015 to February 6, 2018.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a disability rating of 40 percent from January 8, 2019.