Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The rating reduction for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is remanded, as well as the effective date determination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because he failed to provide necessary information about his employment and educational history, which is essential for determining if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left-hand strain, thoracolumbar spine DDD, cervical spine disorder as secondary to thoracolumbar spine DDD, and bilateral leg disorder as secondary to thoracolumbar spine DDD.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and right hip disabilities due to new evidence indicating possible in-service injury. The Veteran's STRs show a fall from a truck, but no current diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's GERD is rated 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee strain with instability and shin splints, left knee strain with limitation of flexion, right knee strain with instability and shin splints, and right knee strain with limitation of flexion are all rated 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain and right ankle sprain are both rated 10 percent disabling. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative arthritis is rated 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if this rating is appropriate.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated 10 percent disabling. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea and associated sleeping disorder. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his treatment from non-VA providers and any available VA records.

The Board has granted effective dates of September 1, 1992 for service connection of back disability and right foot disability. The claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and back braces, prescribed for service-connected disabilities, tend to wear out or tear his clothing. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance in calendar year 2016 for both the bilateral knee brace and the back brace.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and right ankle disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms or direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating for cervical strain was denied prior to January 18, 2021 and since that date. The rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied prior to January 18, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient evidence in the file regarding the cause of the Veteran's complications from the February 2015 surgery, including a dural tear and damage to the thecal sac.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent effective October 23, 2009 and 40 percent effective April 12, 2019. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent disability rating. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective August 1, 2016. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on issues related to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The initial compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity scars remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since at least February 8, 2018. An effective date of February 8, 2018 is assigned for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, bilateral hip disability, and asthma have been denied as new evidence does not support reopening the claims.,No new or relevant evidence has been received to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with DDD and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.