Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected compression fracture lumbar spine with degenerative joint and disc disease, T12-L1 and L4-S1 has been rated at 20 percent since March 22, 2011.

The VA determined that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for missing teeth has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a gastrointestinal condition, hemorrhoids, right thumb and hand condition, and low back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against the award of such.

The Veteran's arthritic spurring lumbar spine is currently rated as 40 percent disabling prior to January 17, 2019 and a temporary total evaluation was in effect from June 25, 2018 to October 10, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's urinary incontinence is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to August 2, 2012 and a 40 percent rating is sought from that date forward. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's urinary incontinence is currently rated as 40 percent disabling from August 2, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's left ankle fracture is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from April 6, 1998 to August 2, 2012 and a higher rating is sought from that date forward. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's residuals of ankle fracture with ORIF fusion and traumatic arthritis are currently rated as 40 percent disabling from August 2, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's skin rash of unknown etiology is currently rated as 30 percent disabling and a higher rating is sought. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's left wrist arthritis, status post-fracture, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from April 12, 2016 and a higher rating is sought. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.,The Veteran's pes cavus associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to August 2, 2012 and a higher rating is sought from that date forward. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's status/post hemorrhoidectomy with residuals hemorrhoids are currently rated as 10 percent disabling and a higher rating is sought. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence, particularly regarding employment history and workplace accommodations during a specific period. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are expected to be evaluated in light of his employment status.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left knee arthritis due to additional development being needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and left knee disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of her back disability, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and back disability, finding that his conditions are due to repeated impact from parachute jumps during active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development and evaluation due to procedural issues. The Veteran's appeals on substantive grounds are now pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to withdraw his appeals for service connection of various disabilities, including skin condition, bilateral ankles, bilateral knees, neck, left ear hearing loss, low back pain, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a personality disorder). The claims for head injury with residual headaches have been remanded.

The Board finds that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability and left hip condition due to their inextricability. The issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional information regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and a need for a more thorough addendum opinion from a VA orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, while he received a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability effective February 9, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or connect these conditions to any service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities preventing employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and issues related to TDIU and SMC.