Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities prior to February 26, 2019. The case is being returned to the RO for these assessments.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee strain and service connection for his low back injury/pain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine pain and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The right ankle condition, PTSD, ear disability, and left knee pain claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating for low back degenerative disk disease is remanded, and his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, GERD, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions. The issues are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues, including the rating for left rotator cuff tendonitis and low back strain.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to September 7, 2011, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 7, 2011, for service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, while the right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to September 12, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, right knee instability, left knee instability, and right knee meniscal tear have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran's status post left clavicle fracture (left shoulder disability) has also been granted an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, left knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear, and right knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear due to new evidence added to his electronic claims file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, were not shown to be related to service. The Board denied these claims due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's total disability rating is due to VA treatment for his back disability, and he does not meet the basic eligibility criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's back disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent from February 7, 2012 to June 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to non-compliance with previous directives and inextricably intertwined issues.