Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has found that the criteria for increased ratings are not met in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for this period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, osteoarthritis of bilateral hand, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrist, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as these conditions were not shown to be related to active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with lumbosacral degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's back condition. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's congenital scoliosis is a congenital defect or disease, and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and a back condition due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to address relevant treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left hip condition is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran was granted TDIU beginning April 1, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of that date.,VA denied an extraschedular rating for migraine headaches prior to April 1, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new examination is needed to assess the Veteran's lumbar strain including radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since December 7, 2009.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis is granted a 40 percent rating prior to May 6, 2019. However, the claim for a higher rating from that date forward is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional opinions regarding functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU will be granted but without an effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination of the Veteran's spine and obtaining additional VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates and increased ratings remain part of this appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted to the extent that new and material evidence has been received. The appeals for left hip, right hip, left ankle, back, and left knee conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and automobile adaptive equipment is remanded. The Board also requests an examination to assess the functional impairment attributable to his service-connected disabilities, including whether they limit his ability to use his left hand with a prosthetic.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain and left knee chondromalacia patella has been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The conditions are deemed to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include seeking higher ratings for service-connected disabilities, determining the nature of a claimed traumatic brain injury, and evaluating the impact on TDIU.