Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent for the entire initial rating period from June 9, 2020. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been remanded.

The Board has found that the duty to assist occurred prior to the December 2019 rating decision and a remand is necessary to correct this deficiency. The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbar laminectomy; scoliosis, and an incomplete tear of the right shoulder, rotator cuff tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% from January 1, 2019. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's voiding dysfunction requires absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was remanded for a VA examination testing range of motion on active and passive motions, weight-bearing, and non-weight bearing. The VA examiner did not comply with these requirements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information in his initial notice of disagreement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for systemic sclerosis and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease are remanded due to procedural errors. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU since December 6, 2016. Effective December 6, 2016, the Veteran is also granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any service-connected disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding hypertension and leg disorders.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established as there is no medical opinion linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's back and eye disorders are being remanded for additional medical examination to determine their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with posterolisthesis was granted, restoring the original 20% rating effective December 1, 2011. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and MDD).,Service connection was denied for sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence linking it to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted a 10% rating effective June 5, 2020. The left knee instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage are each granted a 30% rating effective June 5, 2020. The low back disability, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are all granted 40% ratings effective June 5, 2020.,TDIU from March 31, 2010 to April 6, 2015, and August 2, 2016 to July 5, 2017 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and left knee disability due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any STRs in his possession.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate reasons and bases in the August 2019 decision. The issues include rating determinations from December 9, 2010, to July 17, 2017, and as of July 18, 2017, for a back disability; initial ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is asked to provide addendum opinions that consider his lay statements about in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve disability due to conflicting opinions on their etiology. The RO will have an opportunity to reconsider these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back syndrome with degenerative osteoarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is due to natural aging process.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet her claim for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current conditions are not otherwise related to service.