Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent prior to December 17, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disorders, as well as acquired mental disorder (including PTSD) secondary to a back disorder. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating prior to November 15, 2019 and a 40 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Veteran's diagnosed lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis are secondary to his service-connected bilateral elbow disability. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's claimed right arm, left arm, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hand, and left hand conditions are related to his service-connected bilateral elbow disability.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were previously discontinued due to his dissatisfaction with the counseling services. The Board has ordered a new evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine if he is now eligible for VR&E and suitable for the proposed program.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and specifically noting the combat presumption.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy were granted increased ratings effective October 15, 2020. The disability was rated at 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have all been denied by the Board. The criteria for higher disability ratings were not met in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, both due to military sexual trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of chronic rhinitis due to missing treatment records and outdated medical opinions. The Veteran needs to provide VA with his complete medical history, especially regarding his low back disability.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for additional examination and opinion. His right knee, hip, and thigh disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD L5-S1 with limited motion and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity claims are also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted for either condition as there is no direct evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The VA has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back surgery was caused by VA fault or an unforeseeable event.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection, while the sinus disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, and his right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy prior to December 6, 2018 was also granted a 40% rating. The Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy since December 6, 2018 is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 40%. A TDIU was granted effective June 20, 2020.