Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted a 40% rating, effective April 30, 2012. Other service-connected disabilities are denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, service connection for a back disorder, and TDIU due to additional relevant evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40% rating for the period prior to November 6, 2019. For the entire period on appeal, a higher rating than 40% is denied. From July 8, 2021 onwards, entitlement to TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, finding that it is related to active duty service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from February 16, 2011, to March 16, 2015. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and remanded the issues of service connection for eye impairment and left wrist impairment.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is related to the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 30, 2016 to October 28, 2020 due to service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, left hip degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis due to lack of adequate VA examination. The TDIU claim from December 1, 2017, is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS and spinal stenosis prior to August 23, 2022. These matters must be addressed by the AOJ in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including psychiatric disorders, hip disabilities, shoulder and knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, specifically requesting that a clinician provide an estimate of additional loss of range of motion due to flare-ups in degrees. The TDIU and low back rating issues are intertwined.

The Board has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs assistance with daily activities, but a VA examination is required to determine if this need is solely due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left hip, right hip, and ankle disabilities has been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for her left and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40 percent rating from August 25, 2011 to December 3, 2013. A higher rating for the right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the submission of new evidence. The claims on appeal include a request for an increased rating for headaches, service connection for a back disability secondary to TBI, and a TDIU determination.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions and lack of an examination addressing all issues.