Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service-connected bilateral hip disabilities and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and left knee disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an adequate VA examination and medical opinion. The Veteran's upper back disorder is being reviewed, as are his service connection claims.

The Board has decided that a new medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability, other than degenerative disc disease, is related to his in-service injury. The appeal is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and that any current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his chronic lumbar strain and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar strain, as it did not meet the criteria for such a rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran's combined disability rating had already reached 100% due to his service-connected disabilities, including cervical radiculopathy and left knee instability, which precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, intestinal problems, joint pain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, lower back condition, and residuals of a rib injury on the left side.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for a neck disability and because it is inextricably intertwined with the temporary total evaluation claim. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from October 14, 2020. The rating will be granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy were denied ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings. A TDIU was granted, and SMC at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability due to inadequate opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups and lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection for OSA, kidney stones, type 2 diabetes mellitus, a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has found that there is not substantial compliance with the prior remand instructions and has therefore ordered additional development for service connection claims related to bilateral hip disability and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hand finger, left hand finger, right ankle, and left ankle disorders as well as a lumbar spine disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical opinion on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to April 13, 2016, and for consideration of entitlement to SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected left leg amputation below the knee. The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions to address whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 24, 2017 needs more information and is sending it back for further review. The decision also mentions a need to obtain a transcript of an SSA hearing held in August 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, extension of temporary total evaluation past November 1, 2012 based on convalescence after lumbar fusion surgery, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for TDIU prior to September 13, 2018 is also remanded.