Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for neck disability, lower back disability, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and bilateral first cuneiform metatarsal joint arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar tissue with numbness has been dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted. The issue of service connection for cervical spine disability is reopened, but no new rating assigned. Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied. Bilateral hearing loss and back disability are not rated compensably or increased.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition prior to January 23, 2015. The examiner was unable to provide specific additional range of motion loss during flare-ups or repeated use without an in-person examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and ratings, effective from the date of the July 2016 phone call.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of right femur fracture and entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of left knee is REMANDED.

The Veteran's left foot, right knee, and left ankle conditions are granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions secondary to her service-connected right foot and/or left knee conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment prior to June 12, 2004.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited flexion during flare-ups.,The Veteran's mild left mandibular paresthesia is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new VA treatment records being added to the case file. The Veteran's appeal will be reviewed by the AOJ for these additional records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of TBI and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with left lower extremity weakness is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, left leg disability, headaches, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence. The appellant's adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from Dr. D. Jones and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for a neck disability. The VA is instructed to provide additional examinations and opinions to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, migraine headaches, and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a back disability due to insufficient consideration of post-service complaints and treatment records.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from December 1, 2012 to July 11, 2013. The claim for TDIU prior to December 1, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine has prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to inadequate development of the record.