Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back, neck, and right hip disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of these conditions during or related to active service, as well as whether they are secondary to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 24, 2019. A TDIU is granted from July 25, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since January 14, 2020. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and additional medical development.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to March 20, 2020 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, specifically whether it is related to service. The claim will be reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service and remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new VA treatment records, and the cases are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and incomplete information regarding his periods of military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to June 25, 2014, did not render him unemployable due to the combined rating of 50% which does not meet the schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder and a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's asthma is also granted on the basis of presumptive exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing chronicity in service or within one year after separation. The examiner opined that the current condition is more likely related to age than an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disability and COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction in the rating assigned for hypothyroidism, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder with rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted. TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than hypothyroidism was granted effective from February 23, 2015 to September 19, 2019, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 23, 2015.

All service connection claims for various conditions are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.