Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lower back disability has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, and therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with the October 2020 remand.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for chronic low back strain is remanded due to new evidence showing worsening symptoms and the need to reassess his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disability is dismissed. The Board also denied the staged ratings and reduction from 30 to 20 percent for her low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to unclear employment status and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, left middle finger sprain, and low back disability manifested by pain. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of an in-service stressor. The claims for bilateral foot and hand numbness and tingling are being remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a nexus opinion.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disorder, as there have been issues with obtaining necessary medical opinions and imaging results. The case is being remanded to obtain these.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his low back disability, left hip radiculopathy, urinary frequency, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inconsistencies in medical records and examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, are considered to be at least in equipoise with his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 20 percent effective February 7, 2021. All other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all segments of the thoracolumbar spine and whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome was denied. He was granted a 20 percent rating prior to October 8, 2018, and a 40 percent rating on and after that date for left lower extremity sciatica.,A remand is ordered due to the Veteran's assertion regarding his unemployability.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar disability receiving a 40% rating since April 24, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is attributable to service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, is not service-connected.,None of the Veteran’s other disabilities are found to be secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of October 31, 2003 for a 20 percent rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right leg sciatic neuropathy. The earlier effective date is based on the fact that it is not factually ascertainable that an increase in severity occurred during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized expenses incurred at Sanpete Valley Hospital is denied because the treatment was not for an emergency medical condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has also remanded the issue of a disability rating for his lumbar strain due to potential worsening since the last examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records and for further examination.