Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found deficiencies in the March 2014 VRC assessment and is remanding for a new evaluation to determine if a vocational goal, including sedentary work, is feasible despite the Veteran's serious employment handicap.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, ulcerative colitis, and neurological conditions. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and other foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 20, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, as well as skin cancer and low back disability due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VR&E records and copies of the VA examiner's qualifications. The issues on appeal are service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar and thoracic spine, to include as associated with a left knee disability, is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The issues of whether this condition was incurred in or aggravated by service are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, residuals of a right shoulder injury, left ankle condition, and right hip condition. The request to reopen his claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has been granted a 40 percent rating effective March 14, 2022. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's low back condition and right knee osteoarthritis are now granted as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux abductovalgus with bunion.,The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, are also granted as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux abductovalgus with bunion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left tibia stress fracture caused or aggravated his lower back strain.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for various benefits related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU. The appeal was dismissed as there were no new or material evidence submitted within one year of the September 2007 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are service connected as due to his adjustment disorder, and lumbar spine disability (degenerative arthritis) is also service connected. Other conditions have not been linked to service.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is granted due to the combined disability rating of his service-connected conditions meeting the schedular requirements.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a miscommunication regarding a VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability. The examiner did not address all pertinent information provided in the remand, and the Veteran is requested to be rescheduled for an examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbosacral or cervical strain are both being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in her VA examinations and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current level of disability.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, neurological disability of the lower extremities, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and vertigo as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to service.