Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10%, and a separate 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) associated with the lumbar spine disability has been granted. Initial 20% ratings have also been assigned for degenerative joint disease of the right metatarsophalangeal joint of the right foot and left metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, including atrial fibrillation, hypertension, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, right shoulder arthroplasty, left shoulder debridement, right knee replacement, and status post left knee ACL reconstruction. The appeal is remanded to allow for further evaluations and determinations regarding these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a previous decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error, finding that there was no CUE in the March 2019 decision.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the cervical spine and PTSD have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 19, 2018.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee disability remains at 10 percent.,The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected spermatic cord neuralgia, but is remanding the issue of service connection for a low back condition. The Veteran's attorney requested additional VA treatment records from Long Beach VAMC to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU due to incomplete development in previous examinations. The low back disability claim is remanded as there was no discussion of in-service complaints or treatment notes. The left knee disability claim requires an additional VA examination to assess painful motion and range of motion limitations. The TDIU claim must be deferred until the other claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ankylosing spondylitis with low back pain and right hip arthritis have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran’s costochondritis claim has also been remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's recurrent low back condition with lumbar disc disease, status post discectomy with scar. The evidence did not establish unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The lumbar spine disability has been granted a rating prior to September 14, 2020 and denied thereafter.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent from February 24, 2010, to July 22, 2013, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from February 24, 2010, to November 7, 2020, for lumbar strain with lumbar IVDS and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's muscle spasms and pain were severe enough to result in an abnormal gait during the first period, but there was no evidence of physician-prescribed bed rest required by VA regulations for a higher rating.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder, both secondary to his right knee disability, is granted.,However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed as the opinions provided by VA examiners are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), disability manifested by impaired balance, fatigue, memory loss, bilateral hand disability (claimed as hand tremors), speech disability, and bilateral eye disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic back disorder, hypertension as secondary to anxiety disorder, and atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's chronic back disorder, hypertension (as secondary to anxiety disorder), and atrial fibrillation (as secondary to hypertension).,The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and examination, requiring further development including obtaining treatment records, employment history, and a VA examination for nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for back condition and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis, without relying on any presumptions or secondary theories.

Service connection for low back disorder (degenerative arthritis of the spine) is granted.,Service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder are denied.

A 30 percent rating for cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) from May 18, 2018 is granted.,A 20 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2019 and a 30 percent rating thereafter is granted.,A rating higher than 40 percent for skin sores from August 13, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for residuals of a low back injury and right wrist injury are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and scoliosis, specifically whether these conditions are related to service.