Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his claims for extension of temporary total ratings and SMC, effectively dismissing these issues. The lumbar spine disorder claim was dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and associated radiculopathy have been granted ratings. Service connection for left upper extremity numbness is pending, while TDIU remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death and if they caused or aggravated his diabetes. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional treatment records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions (back disability, chronic cough, and hypertension) and her service.

The Veteran's appeal for fibromyalgia was dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection of various disabilities, including hip, shoulder, and back conditions.

The Veteran's low back strain prior to April 7, 2008 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disorders due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The claims are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for TBI and a left wrist disability. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran's thoracic spine disorder is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's incontinence symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back disability, gastritis, IBS, and migraines due to potential issues with the adequacy of VA examinations and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions, requiring a retroactive opinion on the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to November 13, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for back and right hip disabilities are being reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 9, 2010 for his total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to back disability. The appeal was not about service connection but rather about when VA should have granted TDIU retroactively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and verifying claimed stressors. The Veteran is also to be provided with a new examination for his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder have been rated at 20 percent since October 28, 2015 and April 19, 2016 respectively. The Veteran has also received increased ratings for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy (from October 28, 2015 to August 12, 2020), left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy (from October 28, 2015 to August 12, 2020), and low back surgical scars (since May 21, 2017). A TDIU has also been granted effective from October 28, 2015.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder have not met the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examinations due to the passage of time since his last evaluations, which do not comply with current regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability. The case will be returned for further development, including a new VA examination and review of records.