Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 6, 2018. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities. The effective date issue is resolved with an October 31, 2016 effective date for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from February 13, 2013 to December 26, 2013. The Veteran's service-connected conditions left him unable to work as a contractor during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and readjudication due to incomplete VA assistance in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2010 examination, and a new retrospective opinion is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability from May 1, 2010 to February 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate, right and left knee disabilities for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, total knee replacements on both knees, gout in multiple joints, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and left hip osteoarthritis are all remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was received. The claim is now considered granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder and a lumbar spine disorder due to further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly from the Columbia VAMC and Orlando VAMC. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left hip conditions due to insufficient opinions regarding the intermediate step of obesity in establishing service connection.

The Veteran's deviated septum is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection for HTN is granted based on the PACT Act due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran has a skin condition (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses) that may be service-connected as it was diagnosed during his period of active duty.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for coccyx strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar strain due to inadequate examinations that did not account for pain during range of motion testing, flare-ups, or ankylosis. The cases are being referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. His back disability, prior to July 8, 2021, does not warrant a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The compensable rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) is denied. The reduction in the diverticulitis rating was improper, and the Veteran's original 10 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his headaches due to potential worsening of symptoms since his last examination. The Veteran is asked to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current low back condition is related to his active duty, including carrying heavy equipment during combat.

An increased initial rating of 20 percent (but no higher) for service-connected cervical spine IVDS is granted effective February 27, 2019.,An increased initial rating of 20 percent (but no higher) for service-connected lumbosacral spine IVDS is granted effective February 27, 2019.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to her active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to new evidence being added to the claims file. The Veteran's low back strain condition is still under review and may be evaluated at a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability and sciatica are not service-connected as they did not originate in or until years after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's left eye and right eye disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his active duty.