Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disorder and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent, effective from April 10, 2017. The claim for an increased rating for the lumbar spine remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an apparent inconsistency in the June 2018 VA examination report and the need for consideration of the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on his range of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the period prior to July 18, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities.,New and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the reopening of claims for bilateral hearing loss and stomach disability.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance from March 11, 2011 to January 22, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean, and protect himself from hazards.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his PTSD, have been granted service connection. The Veteran was also awarded a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to August 30, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD prior to March 17, 2021 or thereafter, and denied service connection for both cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of an initial rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine between September 7, 2005 and January 25, 2007 due to insufficient reasoning in a previous opinion.

The Board denied service connection for left great toe and left shoulder disabilities, as well as numbness of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for numbness of the right and left lower extremities secondary to a back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions addressing his claimed lumbar spine, knee, ankle, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the back claim.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee instability, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were all granted increased ratings. The left great toe condition was granted a higher rating from November 20, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence addressing the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis with IVDS are rated at 40 percent since August 1, 2014. Ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 16, 2020, and left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to August 11, 2016, have also been granted.

The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a back disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for high blood pressure is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Veteran's back disability is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected lower back disability, including range of motion testing. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for her back disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU prior to December 5, 2019 are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous examinations. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his lumbar strain.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post spinal fusion, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome due to continuous symptoms since service separation.