Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed as they have already been addressed in the Board's August 2020 decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was granted.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to injuries he suffered during active-duty service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various knee, foot, ankle, and hand disabilities should be remanded due to a lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started in service and has continued since then. The cervical spine, low back, and left hip disorders are remanded for additional development as the VA examiners' opinions did not consider pertinent service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower lumbar spine condition due to additional development being necessary. The case will be reviewed again after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 7, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran and his representative argue that additional medical inquiry is required, including determining the credibility of the Veteran's statements about in-service injuries and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused an inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 11, 2017. The Board found that the evidence showed he was unable to work due to his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in August 2018 are inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability or otherwise related to his active-duty service.

The appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims and did not provide new and material evidence within one year of the final rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,An increased rating of 70 percent has been granted for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, back disability, and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA opinions in previous decisions. The claims will be reviewed again with new addendum opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance and housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing he is rendered permanently homebound or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability, which is currently considered secondary to service-connected bilateral chondromalacia patella. The Veteran contends his current condition is related to service or caused by his service-connected knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling VA examinations at an incarcerated veteran's facility. The Veteran is required to be examined at Aleda E. Lutz VAMC.

The Veteran's claim for higher staged ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what is currently assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted, with the condition related to his active service and his service-connected left knee condition.