Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's lower back disability. Therefore, another remand is required to obtain a medical opinion addressing the lay statements concerning the onset and continuity of symptomatology related to her lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate development of his lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the lower extremities, and femoral nerves. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issue of Total Disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 1, 2020 due to it being inextricably intertwined with a pending appeal. The referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU is deferred until jurisdiction is returned to the Board.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at 20 percent each, effective from October 3, 2016. The Veteran also received a separate rating for bladder dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to failure to reschedule VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities remain before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and workplace limitations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial rating of PTSD, as well as the issues related to right knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease L4-5 from June 14, 2006 through December 1, 2019.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves or femoral nerves.

Service connection for a low back disability, to include spinal stenosis is granted. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are denied. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU at this time as he did not receive proper notice about the scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back and neck disabilities. The case will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bipolar disorder was granted. The claim for PTSD was denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Board found that there is current diagnoses of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) and remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and any in-service injury or exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 11, 2011. The Board finds that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for a right-hand trigger finger injury and degenerative disc disease of the neck.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain additional opinions regarding the service connection of cervical and thoracic/lumbar spine disorders, as well as peripheral neuropathy. The issues are currently inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claim for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prior to July 2, 2019, and a higher rating thereafter is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, lower back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and left leg disability. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and loss of function of the left leg (left foot drop), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected low back strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.