Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disorder, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran must cooperate by reporting for the scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The hearing testimony provided during his April 2019 Board hearing is considered new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and left leg disabilities. The claims are not related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate consideration of lay statements and new medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.,Service connection was denied for gout, back condition, and COPD as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and depression, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the directives to obtain missing service dental treatment records and schedule VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The appeal is being remanded again due to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that his disabilities warranted a higher rating based on limitation of motion or associated neurologic conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at a 40 percent rating from October 1, 2006 to October 5, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 6, 2010, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to this date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The cases are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and a surgical scar of the lumbar area, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 26, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy need to be re-evaluated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disability and remanded it for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for recurrent abdominoplasty residuals is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of rating PTSD, low back musculotendinous strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left ankle strain residuals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that it must be denied based on the date of claim. The effective date of service connection and TDIU cannot precede February 21, 2007 due to the filing dates of the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a vestibular disorder and headaches. The Veteran's assertions of in-service injuries are considered, along with relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder septic arthritis, increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence regarding his lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions, including during flare-ups.