Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle avulsion fracture is rated at 10 percent, and his thoracolumbar spinal stenosis with spinal fusion is rated at 20 percent. The issues of a compensable rating for bladder disturbance associated with the Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine disorder and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.,The Veteran's right ankle avulsion fracture remains rated at 10 percent, while his thoracolumbar spinal stenosis is rated at 20 percent. The issues of a compensable rating for bladder disturbance associated with the Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine disorder and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. For the entire appeal period, his IBS was rated at 10 percent and his low back strain with lumbar degenerative disc disease was rated as 10 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder was not found to cause total social impairment at any time during the appeal period.,For the period of the claim prior to January 15, 2020, the thoracolumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, neck, left elbow, and occipital headaches disabilities secondary to the service-connected right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions in the March 2018 remand. The Veteran's statements regarding a fall in 2009 after his right knee gave out are to be considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the lumbar spine disability prior to October 15, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to July 28, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, lumbar strain, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee limitation of extension, left knee limitation of extension, and right hip strain. The combined effect of these conditions has rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine strain with sprain and spondylosis, left lower extremity sensory neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, PTSD, hypertension, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hand burn scar. The Board granted TDIU on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions regarding the Veteran's statements about continuous back pain since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any in-service injury. The Board also noted that arthritis of the spine was not 'noted' during service or within one year of separation.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.,Service connection was also remanded for migraine headaches and left hip and knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, migraine headaches, and vertigo due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, back condition, bilateral knee condition, right hip condition, and migraines due to additional development. The claims are being remanded for VA examinations to determine the current disabilities and their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 14, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and chest pain due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including arthritis, was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to any event in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions.