Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination in April 2018. The Veteran should be scheduled for updated VA examination and treatment records should be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions were not incurred during service or due to any in-service exposure. The Board also found that obesity did not cause or aggravate either condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has also granted service connection for this condition. The evidence shows that the Veteran sustained an injury in-service, which resulted in chronic low back pain. Two private medical opinions support the link between his current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The criteria for entitlement to a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence prior to January 25, 2016 and after August 1, 2016 are not met due to lack of evidence showing severe post-operative residuals or immobilization by cast.,The Veteran's claim for SMC is denied as there is no indication he requires aid and attendance based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her hysterectomy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and clarification needed regarding the presence of vaginal vault prolapse or rectal prolapse.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the current disability did not have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain rating is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective July 7, 2017. The initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spondylosis and osteoarthritis of the back, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for immune system malfunction with food allergies (due to psoriasis).,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his immune system malfunction with food allergies was not fully addressed due to insufficient medical opinion and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, but has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, testicular pain (epididymitis), and diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome) due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% and right lower extremity radiculopathy at 10%. The acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) prior to September 23, 2016, is not rated higher than 30%.,No new rating is granted for the Veteran's low back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy. The acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) from September 23, 2016, is not rated higher than 70%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back condition due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is required to obtain private medical records, conduct additional VA examinations, and provide adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed condition.

The Board is remanding the claims for an effective date earlier than April 17, 2009 for service connection and higher ratings for radiculopathy to allow the AOJ to properly consider these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and PTSD due to incomplete information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as the need for authorization of non-VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination and medical opinion due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's low back disorder is related to service, but its onset during service or within presumptive period after discharge cannot be determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with low back pain is a chronic condition that manifested during service and continues to persist, granting service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by limited forward flexion to less than 30 degrees prior to September 14, 2017, is granted a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral foot rash are being reviewed.