Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain with scoliosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve do not warrant evaluations in excess of their current ratings. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disorder have been remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but not more, and the appeal for a higher rating is granted. The Board also considered extraschedular consideration but found no basis to grant such.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from the Veteran's National Guard service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and facet disease are granted service connection. The craniectomy residuals with skull defect are granted a 50 percent rating prior to December 30, 2022, but denied any higher rating on or after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to service, granting their claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further clarification regarding whether a back disorder and hypertension preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that more development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims, including VA examinations and consideration of additional evidence. The claims are being remanded to allow for this.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disorder and chronic adjustment disorder, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from June 4, 2012, to January 30, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ will also consider a TDIU claim, including on an extraschedular basis if appropriate.

The Veteran's low back, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity due to inadequate previous evaluations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from January 15, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU effective February 6, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee and right ruptured tympanic membrane disabilities, as well as the issue of a compensable rating for the right ear condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in a previous VA opinion, and now requires additional development including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and sciatic nerve condition due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. Further examination is required.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine status post laminectomy, was incurred during active duty and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease (IVDS) and facet joint arthritis is rated at 40 percent, but the Board has found additional evidence necessary to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The Veteran also has left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve which is currently rated at 20 percent; the Board has determined that a remand is needed for an addendum opinion regarding its severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and left knee disabilities due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of symptoms since previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate etiological opinions in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's neck disability and cervical radiculopathy need to be evaluated again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a bowel disorder claimed as IBS due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service, and the failure to show onset during or related to service. The Board also denied service connection for an IBS disorder because there is no current diagnosis of IBS.