Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her back disability, bilateral pes planus, and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the failure to report for necessary VA examinations without good cause. The issues regarding the rating of depressive disorder prior to October 2, 2015; from October 2, 2015, to August 3, 2020; and after August 3, 2020 are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to events in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not have a chronic back condition during service and that post-service records do not show any treatment or diagnosis related to this condition until 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from July 17, 2013, to October 7, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral kidney disabilities due to in-service injuries. Additional medical records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that service connection for a left thumb disorder is denied, and the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities, as well as lumbar DDD. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service and granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disabilities are rated at 10 percent, and he is denied a higher rating. Prior to May 11, 2017, the Veteran was not found unemployable due to his service-connected conditions. From May 11, 2017, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for an updated opinion on the combined functional impact of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2019. Additionally, updated SSA records are needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to his now service-connected back disability. The decision is based on a finding that there is at least an equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for her low back disability was denied. Her current rating remains at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding their severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate compliance with prior remand orders.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as he does not have a disability for VA purposes.,A rating of 20 percent for the low back disability, effective June 5, 2012, is granted. The issue of a higher rating in excess of 20 percent remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service and was instead due to natural progression.