Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the Veteran's spine disability and address service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the service-connected knee disabilities caused obesity and weight gain, which may have contributed to the low back condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has determined that additional development is needed due to the need for medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service treatment records from August 1973.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, are found to be so severe that they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional VA treatment records and compliance with previous directives.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted an effective date of June 28, 2017. The rating for the lumbar spine scar was granted with a 40% rating effective August 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent, from July 29, 2014, to October 27, 2019, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter, for lumbosacral strain and IVDS; as well as initial ratings of 10 percent, from August 27, 2013, to October 28, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The remand includes obtaining additional medical evidence and conducting a new examination.

A rating of more than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,An earlier effective date of January 4, 2017, for the increased rating to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic PTSD with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and for major depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for recurrent major depressive disorder is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic headaches is granted.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a low back condition is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for sinusitis is denied.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a chronic enlarged prostate is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic erectile dysfunction is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied.

The Veteran's endometriosis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective March 12, 2012. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction based on aggravation is granted. The appeal related to the restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain is also granted. However, both issues related to service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and prostate cancer are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis and plantar fascitis due to incomplete STRs and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected spinal fusion and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in unemployability, based on the evidence discussed. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt and finds that his service-connected disabilities satisfy the criteria for Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for his low back disability, service connection for a cervical spine disability, and TDIU prior to September 7, 2018. The issues are related to the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The claims for left ear SNHL, low back condition, and right knee condition have been reopened. The Veteran now has service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a low back disability, and the Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 50%.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to adjudicate the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection, and his right hand disability with osteoarthritis is granted a 10% rating.