Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for chemical poisoning, anxiety and PTSD, heart attack and a heart stent, hypertension, prostate cancer, low back injury with posttraumatic degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy, irritant dermatitis, gout in the right foot, and left shoulder acromioclavicular separation status post-operative. The Veteran is not service-connected for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis was denied. Prior to December 7, 2020, the rating remained at 10 percent due to insufficient range of motion and lack of ankylosis or IVDS. From December 7, 2020, a 40 percent rating was granted but the claim for higher ratings remains denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbosacral spine disorder with DDD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 6, 2011.,A remand was ordered due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran’s cervical spine disability warranted an increased rating from July 6, 2011 onwards.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established. The disabilities are considered to be attributable to intercurrent causes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding functional impairment and whether ankylosis exists.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability is remanded as the examiner’s opinion was inadequate, requiring further consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue is remanded due to the need for a more thoroughly reasoned opinion addressing whether her fatigue is caused by or aggravated by her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating from April 11, 2014 to October 15, 2018. Her lumbar spine disability was also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include Reiter’s syndrome, low back disability, bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to September 15, 2016 were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of lumbar spondylosis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU. The case is remanded for further development regarding his rating for back disability and scars.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board will consider both old and new rating criteria, with the more favorable one applied.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all appeals related to his claims for increased ratings and service connection. The Board has dismissed these appeals as the Veteran explicitly requested their withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and lack of relevant medical records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of in-service treatment records. The VA will obtain additional evidence and provide new examinations to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between current low back disabilities and military service.