Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates as to left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip arthritis, and right hip arthritis. The claims of entitlement to a higher rating for degenerative disc disease with IVDS from June 4, 2015 and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with IVDS from August 1, 1974 to June 4, 2015 are REMANDED. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 12, 2016 is also REMANDED.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence received since the November 2012 rating decision. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining prison medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied service connection. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from September 4, 2013 to February 23, 2014, but his TDIU claim was later denied beginning February 24, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction in the rating of foot eczema from 60% to 10% was found to be procedurally improper, and the original 60% rating is restored. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus but denied for low back disorder, bilateral foot numbness and tingling, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's disability rating for thoracolumbar DJD with mild anterior wedging was restored to 40 percent effective January 2, 2020. The claims for service connection for a right foot condition, left foot condition, PTSD, and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his back condition, left lower radiculopathy, and headaches. The claims are also remanded to obtain service entrance records and INACDUTRA status information.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including cervical strain, knee limitations of extension, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder bursitis, and external hemorrhoids. The AOJ is instructed to issue a supplemental statement of the case after considering additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or illegible service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy beginning March 31, 2020. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability remains rated at 40%. There is no higher rating available for the low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the nasal fracture does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The Board has denied both claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees with functional loss due to pain upon motion prior to September 8, 2020. From September 8, 2020, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not manifested by ankylosis or functional ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a rating for her lumbar spine disability, and a TDIU due to the need for additional development of evidence. The issues include obtaining an addendum opinion on the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and assessing her lumbar spine disability with associated neurological impairments.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for initial disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for PTSD prior to February 24, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent since then; TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service and no link between current back disability and in-service injury. The decision is based on the lack of probative value of the Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and a new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disability had its onset during service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from August 17, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for an in-person hearing at the RO, and the need to readjudicate the issue based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, specifically inpatient hospitalization records from Fort Knox and Social Security Administration disability records. The Veteran's back disability claim will be reviewed again with these additional records.