Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic prostatitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and providing retrospective opinions on functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and awarded a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were caused or aggravated by his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, blindness, blurred vision, and lower back disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip, low back, and left knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral foot drop, and sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria beyond the period from September 29, 2015, to January 1, 2016. The remaining issues have been remanded and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from June 27, 2007 to May 14, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and neck disability, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran's representative argues that these issues should be considered in conjunction with other pending claims, but the Board finds that they are sufficiently distinct to warrant separate review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability and has determined that service connection is warranted based on the presumption of soundness under the provisions for chronic diseases.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the required duration.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain, guarding, muscle spasms, or other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated opinion considering all relevant evidence, including lay testimony.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is not rated higher than 40 percent, and the lumbar spine disability is not rated higher than 10 percent.,The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are denied as they were granted earlier in March 27, 2001.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective March 7, 2005. The earlier effective date for service connection of sciatica of the left lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, is related to service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an increased rating of 40 percent from March 19, 2001 to April 29, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating is denied for the period from April 30, 2009 to February 3, 2015 and TDIU prior to March 6, 2003.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's low back, bilateral leg, groin, migraine headaches, and dizzy spells, vertigo, and Meniere's syndrome claims are being reviewed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left knee arthroscopy claims were denied. However, a separate rating of 20 percent was granted for residuals of a torn meniscus of the left knee effective October 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disorder and gastrointestinal disorder due to potential errors in the prior examination opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is also pending, as it is intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal regarding the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity neurological disorder and right upper extremity neurological disorder is remanded.