Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease due to inadequate previous examinations. The issue of TDIU is also remanded as it may be impacted by the results from the spine examination.

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

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA, Vet Center, and private treatment records which need to be obtained in order to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is also required to provide updated information regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during its pendency.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria and he was gainfully employed throughout the relevant period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease as secondary to service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis was granted a 10% rating for the appeal period prior to April 1, 2016. For the appeal period beginning on April 1, 2016, he is granted a 40% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and disc disease (low back disability), left shoulder disability, and left leg/hip disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his back and right knee disabilities, including range of motion findings and any functional impairment due to flares.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform sedentary work with flexibility for position shifts and breaks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the likely etiology of his bilateral wrist and back disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased disability ratings in service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and moderate degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy of the lumbar spine before a decision was made.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine disability was denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder diagnosed as insomnia has been granted.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on aid and attendance from January 30, 2019 onward. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound benefits from July 12, 2011 to January 29, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for SMC T (based on a higher level of SMC under subsection (t)) has been reasonably raised by the record. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance from July 12, 2011 to January 29, 2019 is remanded.,The earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the upper extremities prior to February 9, 2021 remains pending.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as her lumbosacral strain prior to June 1, 2016, are each granted a 20 percent rating. Her lumbosacral strain since June 1, 2016, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and rating consideration due to issues related to the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition is dismissed because the issue has been resolved in his favor. The low back disability claim is denied as it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His TDIU claim is granted effective October 24, 2017.