Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disorder and increased rating for right ankle strain are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's low back disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since November 3, 2004. The appeal is remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran is granted an initial 20 percent rating for his cervical spine disability from December 21, 2007 to February 13, 2009. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2020 and at 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the injury sustained during service had its clinical onset or is related to the March 1974 in-service back injury.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, which currently results in a 60 percent disability rating. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his condition and associated neurologic symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for lumbar strain before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service or any in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their claim prior to a decision.,Service connection was granted for IBS, low back disorder, and bilateral eye disorder. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD also resulted in TDIU effective September 22, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent rating, effective May 2, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome was increased to 30 percent effective August 11, 2011. The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral and thoracic degenerative disc disease was increased to 40 percent effective August 6, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea and a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine prior to May 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to potential issues with the adequacy of previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and needs further clarification on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and ensure compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 50%, 40%, and 20% respectively, effective from May 30, 2015.