Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and an undiagnosed illness (including chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia) due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to determine the nature and cause of his disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), high blood pressure, lumbar spine pain, and bilateral rotator cuff disorders due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's pre-existing low back pain was aggravated by his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease is related to his in-service fall.,The Veteran's neurogenic claudication of the right lower extremity is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's neurogenic claudication of the left lower extremity is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran has experienced ringing in the ears related to tinnitus since his separation from service.

The Veteran's right ankle traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and his low back disability is granted service connection. The rating for the right ankle remains unchanged, while the low back disability receives a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent from October 14, 2011 to February 6, 2019 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent from October 14, 2011 to February 6, 2019 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied.,Effective dates were granted for a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE), both effective January 28, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and CUE related to his cervical spine degenerative disc disease and migraine headache have been remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral strain were granted with an effective date of January 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and bilateral eye disability due to inadequate development. The cases will be reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding hammer toes, bilateral is dismissed. The remaining issues are being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar degenerative arthritis is related to service, specifically addressing his reported injury during boot camp and in-service duties.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to April 27, 2018, and greater than 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The evidence shows that his disability is manifested by complaints of low back pain and full range of motion throughout the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and a low back disability, both of which are considered to be directly related to his military service without any secondary or aggravation by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA, workers' compensation, and service personnel/personnel records.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative facet joint disease is rated at 40 percent effective August 8, 2020. The Veteran's headaches are also service-connected as secondary to his cervical and lumbar spine conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and temporary total evaluations due to various issues related to a blood clot on the brain. The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are alleged to have caused or aggravated his subdural hematoma, but the VA examiner did not address whether this was the case in their opinion.

The Veteran's neck strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has found that this rating does not adequately reflect his functional impairment. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a disability of the right hand and a bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain medical records and address a relevant VA note.