Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during the period between October 17, 2008 and November 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of stroke due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The case is also being remanded for consideration of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been denied higher ratings due to lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis.,Higher ratings for the upper and lower extremity radiculopathies are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and mucinosis (skin disorder) have been granted service connection, with the latter receiving a 60% initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is not related to his service-connected disabilities and concluding that there was no evidence of direct service connection either.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim of menstrual dysfunction was not granted as there is no evidence showing a current disability or functional impairment related to her Persian Gulf service. Claims for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities were also denied due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2022. Effective from that date, he is granted special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as well as whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding TBI-related disabilities.

For the initial rating period from November 19, 2014 to July 28, 2015, a rating of 30 percent for myofascial headaches is granted.,For the initial rating period from July 29, 2015 to May 17, 2018, a rating in excess of 30 percent for myofascial headaches is denied.,For the initial rating period beginning May 18, 2018, a rating of 30 percent for myofascial headaches is granted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 26, 2021. The Board also found that his tuberculosis residuals do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are rated at 50% prior to February 27, 2020, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Since February 27, 2020, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome warrants a 40% rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and total disability based on individual unemployability are remanded due to the need for further development of his lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and herniated disc at L5-S1 have been rated based on their severity, with the highest ratings assigned for the periods prior to October 27, 2021, and since that date. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.,The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and herniated disc at L5-S1 have been rated based on their severity, with the highest ratings assigned for the periods prior to October 26, 2021, and since that date. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds additional development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are also service-connected, with separate ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disorder has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's flexion was at worst 55 degrees with painful motion, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has found no evidence of daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. The low back and psychiatric disorders are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, including lack of goniometer measurements for range of motion testing.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,The petition to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fascia are denied.