Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 11, 2015, for service connection of right ankle and right knee disabilities. The appeals for bilateral pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), low back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), skin disorder other than PFB, right ankle disability, and right knee disability are pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for a thoracolumbar spine disability has been denied as his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine functionally limited to 60 degrees or less, and combined range of motion not exceeding 120 degrees. There is no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, skin condition, and low back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.,Service connection for a left foot disorder is denied.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for her lumbar strain and left knee disabilities, as well as the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are remanded. The reduction in rating for left knee instability from 10 percent to noncompensable is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 1, 2015. As such, TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was not received following the issuance of the SOC addressing whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back disability and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's back disabilities are related to her service-connected residuals of frostbite, but not her bilateral foot disability or major depressive disorder. Her headaches are not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder disorders due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it began during his active duty and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to January 7, 2014 were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back and left hip disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service. The right knee and left knee issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and chest pain with breathing problems due to failure of the Veteran to report to scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran's concerns about exposure to COVID-19 and lack of transportation are considered good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as part and parcel of the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back condition.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s current cervical spine or low back disabilities were directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for an increased rating for her right knee injury due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's neck and upper back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.