Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, and right knee. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders due to inadequate opinions in prior VA examinations.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, and thus remands the case for further action.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence indicating potential functional loss during flare-ups and medication effects.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is incurred in or caused by service, and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The decision on the rating issue remains remanded.

The Veteran's back condition is granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective July 8, 2019. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for joint conditions including arthritis due to a lack of an adequate etiological opinion. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for service connection for bipolar disorder, increased evaluations for thoracolumbar strain and migraine headaches, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected right arm numbness/tingling, TBI residuals, thoracolumbar spine spondylosis, and migraine headaches. The appeals are also remanded for a new examination to determine if there was any in-service causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her low back disability and service connection for chest pain, finding that additional development is needed to address functional loss equivalent to ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and to clarify the etiology of her chest pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain and bilateral foot disability due to potential incomplete service records and inadequate consideration of the appellant's lay statements in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for his service-connected lumbar muscle spasm was remanded due to an inadequate examination report. The Board also found that the issue of entitlement to TDIU should be addressed as part of the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hernia residuals with scarring was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic back condition, finding that her current back condition is related to in-service injuries and resolving all doubts in her favor.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from May 20, 2015, to May 2, 2021. A higher rating of more than 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability since May 20, 2015, has been denied.

The Veteran's bowel and bladder impairments are not separately rated as they are considered part of his service-connected spondylolisthesis of L5 and S1 with spondylolytic changes and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disorders due to conflicting medical opinions and testimony from the Veteran regarding the etiology of these conditions.