Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, sciatic radiculopathies of the bilateral lower extremities, and femoral radiculopathies are remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a new VA examination and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for left hip disability, to include a secondary to a back disability, must be remanded due to inadequate VA opinions and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right hand or wrist, back, and right knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient information. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, instability, lumbosacral spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted. The initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis is set at 20 percent effective February 1, 2012, with a higher initial 30 percent rating effective August 17, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar degenerative disease with radiculopathy has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo, asthma, and lumbar strain are all found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for each condition.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her left nostril collapse. The low back disability rating remains at 10 percent prior to December 12, 2019 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and coccyx injury, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as he was able to maintain gainful employment prior to September 8, 2008. From September 8, 2008, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities met the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD), migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral instability, post-operative patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and surgical scars of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mobility issues are compensated by the assigned ratings for his disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar strain claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to October 8, 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for PTSD, left foot condition, right foot disability, low back disorder, right big toe disability, right leg disability, left upper jaw numbness and tingling status post oral surgery, left upper jaw infection status post oral surgery, shrapnel wound to the right eye, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU effective April 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to November 30, 2016 has been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar strain was reopened and is currently pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims are being remanded for further review due to new evidence received after the June 2020 supplemental statement of the case.