Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD disability was at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) initially manifested during service and is otherwise related to his service, including documented low back pain and a reported Humvee accident. The effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from July 21, 2016. The claims for neck disability, right knee disability, and low back pain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a temporary 10 percent rating from September 9, 2010 to May 31, 2017. From May 31, 2017 onwards, all other sciatic nerve radiculopathies and femoral nerve radiculopathies are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase for his lower back disability in excess of 40 percent was denied. The Board found that the criteria for an extraschedular referral have not been met, as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his TDIU claim due to an incomplete medical examination. The issues will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The main reasons are the need for additional development of records from Patterson Army Community Hospital and VA treatment records, as well as a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, as well as the claims for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The Veteran's death was caused by his neurological condition, which is presumed to have been related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Board has also granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back disability, right knee disabilities, left knee disabilities, and right ear hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee and leg disability, left knee and leg disability, and lower back disability due to ambiguity regarding process of law and outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine have been denied as his disability has not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The VA is unable to locate the complete file for your claim of service connection for low back strain. The AOJ must reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the appeal to the electronic claims file. If records are not available, a formal finding of unavailability should be made.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis, as the Court found that the Board did not adequately address the Veteran's claim.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for DM and pancreatitis. The petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a back condition was granted, as were those for peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE.

The Veteran's bilateral breast calcification, claimed as fibrocystic breast disability, is granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, urinary hesitancy, ovarian cyst disability, TMJ disorder, and other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for lumbar spine disorder was denied. The appeal challenging the reduction of his disability rating from 40% to 20% was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to have started during his military service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected DJD in the lumbar spine from July 7, 2008 is denied. The TDIU issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatica of the left lower extremity, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service parachute jump injury. The decision also notes that the Veteran's current symptoms align with his history of back pain following a parachuting accident.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for mechanical low back with lumbar radiculitis is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis is remanded.