Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to a failure to comply with previous directives and because of inconsistencies in the rating decisions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee and left shoulder disabilities, prevented him from working since March 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for back disability, headache condition, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from Charleston VA Medical Center dated between 1978 and 2001.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 10, 2021 and from that date onwards. The left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Radiculopathy of both lower extremities were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and other issues, including a remand for new opinions on the relationship between his current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is now rated at 30 percent effective February 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and missing service records. The Veteran's back disability, including right paraspinal thoracic strain, is related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and respiratory disabilities are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions began during his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an upper back/cervical spine condition, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability, and TDIU due to unemployability. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service injury are found credible, and there is evidence that his current conditions may be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, cardiac disability (including heart palpitations), and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for neurobehavioral effects due to lack of current disability and the Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking a chronic lumbar spine disorder to service, including an in-service injury with a pugil stick.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, from August 1, 2005 through December 2, 2008. The TDIU claim for this period was denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's compensation benefits for lumbar spinal stenosis, as the original grant was not based on fraud and there is no evidence that the Veteran did not have the requisite service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions regarding range of motion testing. The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and SMC were previously remanded by the Board, but have been returned to the Board due to a Court Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).,For the period prior to July 21, 2009, the Veteran was not found unemployable based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, skin disability, and headaches due to incomplete medical records and lack of adequate opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 21, 2013. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 31, 2021.