Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability, right sciatic neuropathy, and left sciatic neuropathy have been rated appropriately. The reduction of the rating for the service-connected back disability from 40% to 20% is granted. Initial ratings for right and left sciatic neuropathies are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 28, 2014 for a 20% rating for service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease is granted.,The Board has also remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for residuals, neck injury, and entitlement to service connection for jaw fracture residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a bad conduct discharge, finding that his entire period of active service is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not rise to the level needed for such benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's claims include assertions that the condition began in service or was caused by events during service, including herbicide agent exposure and constant marching, running, walking, patrolling in the rain with heavy drums, and other strenuous activities performed during extreme weather conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding no probative evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records from the El Paso VAMC being requested.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and right foot pes planus. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these disabilities are related to in-service injuries or if there was aggravation during service.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's appeal as to the timeliness of his substantive appeal for TDIU and has determined that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The rating assigned is 90 percent, effective from the date of the February 2016 NOD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent beginning August 1, 2022. The rating is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim for HIV. The claims of service connection for neck, low back, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to new and material evidence.

The Board dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

Your claim for service connection for a low back disability has been resolved in your favor, and the Board is dismissing this issue as there is no longer a case in controversy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and conflicting statements about in-service symptoms. The claims will be addressed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from February 1, 2018 to July 27, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 20 percent disability evaluation effective October 20, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for assessing staged ratings and a need for further examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar strain with facet joint arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show functional limitations equivalent to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The claims include right shoulder Bankart repair, lumbar spine spondylosis, sciatic nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, femoral nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and residual scar of dorsal column stimulator.