Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his back disability.

The appeal of TDIU prior to September 6, 2019 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of benefits at the start of the appeal period. The SAH and SHA claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection are being remanded due to the need for new examinations, consideration of additional evidence, and a determination of the appropriate effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities due to inadequate consideration of VA examinations and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is also required to undergo a Persian Gulf War examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, requiring a supplemental medical opinion on the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and its relationship to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sinus and/or allergic rhinitis condition due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of available service treatment records. The RO must attempt to obtain these records, and if they are not found, the Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine whether his current conditions had their origin in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and lower left extremity radiculopathy associated with the condition have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on ankylosis or IVDS, and the current disability levels are considered to be most consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis prior to July 15, 2022, and moderately severe incomplete paralysis thereafter.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 12, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no additional functional loss.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to July 17, 2017. The decision is based on the findings of forward flexion of 20 degrees and extension of 10 degrees during flareups.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination and opinion regarding hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA treatment records and private inpatient care records. A new VA examination is also required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain. The issues include seeking increased evaluations and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, TDIU, and determining additional functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative joint disease, left medial meniscal tear, and left ankle ligamentous sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an effective date for the TDIU prior to September 19, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed back condition. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for a low back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent lumbosacral strain is granted. The claims for right hip disability, left hip disability, esophageal disability (GERD), substance abuse disability, and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete information or development needed.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The decision grants an increased rating but only to a maximum of 40 percent.