Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted at a 40 percent evaluation, effective April 9, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's lower back and cervical spine disabilities are service-connected, as claims for secondary service connection have also been raised.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable from June 7, 2012, to December 5, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence showed he was not unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disorder is granted. The claims of increased ratings for arthrosis post left knee medial meniscus tear, lumbar degenerative disc disease with left sciatica, and left lumbar radiculopathy are remanded. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded. His claim of an increased rating for anxiety, NOS is remanded as well. Finally, his TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, and right hip disability must be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's low back disorder, residuals of TBI, and headache disorder are granted service connection. However, the initial ratings for left femoral head avascular necrosis with proximal stress fracture left femoral shaft and right hip avascular necrosis remain remanded due to lack of updated VA medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to November 10, 2009. The condition is currently rated under the General Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies between the frequency of prostrating attacks reported by the Veteran and those found by the examiner, as well as discrepancies in the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and left foot disability have been granted, but the increased ratings for these conditions remain pending. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for the low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure, and he failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, low back strain, and left leg neuropathy are all granted service connection. The Veteran is awarded a 10% disability rating for his low back strain prior to July 27, 2015, and the claim remains pending for an increased rating thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions not precluding gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the thoracolumbar spine condition, including arthritis and stenosis, as well as the bilateral knee and leg conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain a fully informed evaluation of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for a higher evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU prior to June 20, 2020. The Board has determined that the most recent VA examination is inadequate for rating purposes due to lack of testing and remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for chronic pain syndrome is granted, and he is awarded an effective date of June 21, 2013 for his right knee arthroscopic surgical scars. The claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy and right elbow olecranon bursitis with spur are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's back disorder, which is claimed as service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome and 10 percent for lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other factors.