Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling examinations. The Veteran's neck and back disorders, as well as a disorder manifesting chest pains, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed back and eye disabilities. The claims are not currently in dispute as service connection for PTSD, eye condition/injury, and back injury have already been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and deficient VA examination opinions. The case will be returned to ensure all necessary records are obtained and proper examinations conducted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the condition began during active service and has been continuous since then.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service. The Veteran reported a fall during ACDUTRA and a diagnosis of back pain at Children's Hospital Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with a claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a low back disability and right foot degenerative joint disease due to insufficient development.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar, cervical spine, and bilateral hip degenerative arthritis as the evidence did not show a chronic disease or injury during service that caused current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy right and left lower extremities prior to July 21, 2022 were granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 15, 2020 remains pending as the Board has remanded it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, low back disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hand arthritis. Service connection was not established for the low back or right knee disabilities as they were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis status post patella femoral ligament repair, right knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities on an extra-schedular basis prior to July 7, 2020 is being remanded as the RO did not satisfy its duty to assist and there are outstanding development actions needed. The Board will consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined low back and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a neck disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and residuals thereof, as well as the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance and/or due to housebound status.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a TDIU from November 1, 2009 and entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) from November 1, 2009 due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability. The remand is needed because the VA examinations conducted during the appeal period were inadequate, and an additional examination is required.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection and a 10 percent rating is assigned from June 30, 2015 to September 18, 2018.,A 20 percent rating for the left leg disability is granted beginning September 19, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient opinions on service connection. The left knee disability is also remanded as it is related to a pending claim of bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 10% rating effective January 31, 2006. The increased rating claim for the right knee disability and compensable extension limitation are denied.