Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for right knee disability, service connection for back disability and sciatica, as well as secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and back disability were denied as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's right foot and left foot disabilities were denied as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective August 30, 2011. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are each granted an initial rating of 10 percent, also effective August 30, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded it due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Board also remanded the claims for an effective date prior to March 31, 2010 for PTSD and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 25, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for a left elbow disability, back disability, and left foot disability. The bilateral shoulder disability claim was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn all claims on appeal, including those related to joint pains, bilateral hearing loss disability, TBI residuals, psoriasis, and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran's attorney requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the need for clarification from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's specific functional limitations from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records, including those from a VA compensated work therapy program and psychiatric hospitalizations prior to May 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar sensory-motor left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his time in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection, as it is a qualifying chronic disability that manifested to at least a 10% degree of impairment prior to December 31, 2021. The condition was diagnosed and treated for more than six months.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records from June 2010 to June 2011 and July 2020 to present. The issues of increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases will be further evaluated by VA medical professionals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to procedural issues and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence of worsening symptoms, including pain and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and restoration of reduced ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, effective from February 2015 when service connection was established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical evidence regarding the current state of the Veteran's disability, specifically his low back pain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the severity of his condition and whether he should be granted higher ratings or separate ratings for any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations regarding his claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, along with his major depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from November 1, 2008 to July 31, 2012. As a result, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for this period.