Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board has dismissed all pending issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incorrect legal standards used in previous opinions regarding aggravation of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for urinary incontinence as a neurological complication of lumbar degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease is granted on and after January 13, 2016. The claims for TDIU, excess ratings for various knee conditions, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and kidney stones are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions addressing nexus and aggravation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to November 14, 2017 is granted. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a back disability and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms will be considered in determining whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for back disability. The decision on hearing loss is due to lack of in-service noise exposure leading to current bilateral hearing loss, while the back disability issue requires additional medical opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for headache, right ankle, left ankle, back, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 23, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since May 18, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine IVDS prior to November 17, 2016 was denied. His claim for a higher rating from that date forward is also denied.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for kidney and back conditions were denied. The Board found no current disability or evidence of a nexus between service and the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for postoperative residuals of a compression fracture of the L-3 spinal segment with lumbar disc (lumbar spine disability) prior to January 19, 2021 and since January 19, 2021 due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis with left sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his contentions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in her VA examinations and lack of clarity regarding pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for VA examinations and medical nexus opinions, including those related to sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), residuals of a shoulder injury, and migraine headaches. The claims are being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 19, 2010.