Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability and back disability were granted increased ratings. The right ankle was rated at 20 percent, while the back disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, bilateral hip, left knee and right ankle disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities. As a result, these conditions have been granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, but dismissed all other claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and seizures due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA must obtain additional treatment records and provide new medical opinions.

The Veteran's increased rating for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is granted, but no higher.,Increased ratings are remanded for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities.,TDIU is remanded as it was not addressed in the previous decision.,Permanent and total rating and SMC based on need for aid and attendance are also remanded due to their interrelation with other issues.

Your appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed because the issue is considered moot as it was already addressed in another pending appeal.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims for service connection for a lower back disability, left knee pain, psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's hip and knee disorders.

The reduction of the rating for lumbar spine strain from 40 to 20 percent was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored.,A 20 percent rating, but no higher, for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted effective April 20, 2021. The claim of entitlement to a rating higher than 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains remanded.,The reduction of the rating for lumbar spine strain from 40 to 20 percent was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examination and duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent each, effective February 25, 2008.,Effective February 25, 2008, the Veteran also received TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain with bulging disc, effective July 1, 2020, as the evidence did not show improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and right ankle disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and left upper extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these conditions are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the claims were withdrawn by his representative during a hearing. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the severity of his ankle and knee disabilities, as well as whether he has radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current back condition is related to his service.