Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from private providers and VA facilities. The specific conditions at issue are L5-S1 spondylosis and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, which have been rated based on their severity prior to October 27, 2020, and since that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination in assessing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for this issue.

The Board restored the Veteran's prior disability rating of 40% for his lumbar spine disability, effective January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and the initial rating of 10% for depressive disorder was also denied. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is now rated at 50%, effective May 12, 2017. Service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, left upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ankle conditions were all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, dizziness, a back disability, a right knee disability, chronic fatigue, chronic abdominal pain, joint pain and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to hepatitis C due to inadequate explanation in the May 2018 decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeals on three issues related to service connection for low back disability, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability. The decision on the back disability is due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or causation in service, and post-service treatment records do not show continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and other disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating or TDIU prior to January 23, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine disability is not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, back, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as secondary to a pre-existing condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment status and income during the relevant periods. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with forms to complete, request financial records, determine if he was above or below the poverty threshold, refer the matter to the appropriate officials for review, and readjudicate the appeal.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine stenosis and spondylolisthesis, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left shoulder DJD and residuals of total arthoplasty.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is believed to have caused or aggravated his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, bathe himself, feed himself without assistance, and requires regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, left wrist condition, right ankle condition and low back condition are being remanded for further development.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and a VA vocational specialist's opinion on the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, knee, ankle, and shin splints disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from June 2020 at John Cochran VAMC in St. Louis, Missouri must be obtained.