Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since June 25, 2021. The rating is based on the degree of impairment from his condition, which more nearly approximates forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically concerning pain and neurological symptoms. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to provide this necessary information.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, rheumatoid arthritis, a lumbar spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right wrist disorder, and a left wrist disorder. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and remanded it for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which may be related to her service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran is granted SMC benefits under Section 1114(o) for his service-connected disabilities and also SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate due to need for regular aid and attendance. The issues of entitlement to SMC under Sections 1114(k), (l), and (m) are moot as they provide lesser benefits than Section 1114(o).

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking his current conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and COPD due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DM, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service treatment records indicating a prior diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, cervical spine disorder, back disorder (likely thoracolumbar spine), carpal tunnel syndrome, and vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was aggravated by his service-connected knee, hip, and hamstring disabilities. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period on appeal from October 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the Veteran's outside rheumatologist and internal medicine specialist. The VA must obtain these records and add them to the claims file before readjudicating the service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disorders are not related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective March 9, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on an earlier effective date and increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The issues include resolving the Veteran's disagreement with his assigned effective date, as well as addressing his claim for an increase in his disability rating.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder. The low back disability issue is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability began during his military service and is related to it, granting service connection for this condition.