Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status, or automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, but remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, resulting in the need for frequent shirt replacements. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year based on this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any missing STRs, and all relevant medical records are requested.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from VA and private facilities. The Veteran's left ankle and low back disorders are being reviewed again with these new records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The thoracolumbar spine condition is rated at 20 percent, and the residuals of a healed 5th metacarpal fracture of the right hand are rated at 10 percent.

A disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for the service-connected dorsal lumbar paravertebral myositis with bulging discs L4-5 and L5-S1, and degenerative joint disease (DJD) L5-S1 apophyseal joints was granted.,A disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for the service-connected lumbar myositis with bulging discs and DJD was granted from September 23, 2001 to July 17, 2013.,A disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for the service-connected lumbar myositis with bulging discs and DJD was granted from July 17, 2013 to November 20, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing before the Board.,Service connection is granted for cystic acne, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disability. Service connection is denied for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 21, 2011 is being remanded as the Board cannot award an extraschedular TDIU without first referring it to VA's Director of Compensation Services.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Board has found that the Veteran's knee disabilities and kidney condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 40% disability evaluation for the period from September 18, 2018 to October 3, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a VA examination to address whether obesity caused or substantially contributed to the Veteran's back and left knee disabilities, as well as their service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder, back disorder, right hip disorder, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity as these conditions are not shown to have begun during or be otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of head trauma, including intracranial hemorrhage; lumbar spine disability as secondary to left ankle disability; and headaches as secondary to service-connected status post injury to left orbital region with sensory impairment of left trigeminal nerve.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 31, 2009, for the award of service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for the left lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions are related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's PTSD and back condition have been remanded for further development. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, effective May 26, 2010.

The Veteran's traumatic arthrotomy of the right-hand index finger, right foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur, lumbar spine disabilities, and IBS have been reopened due to new evidence received since their previous denials.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions.