Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation.,No new rating assigned as the maximum schedular ratings were not assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied in September 2013 due to lack of corroborated stressors. The RO reopened the claim in February 2015 and again denied it, finding no new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for torticollis, claimed as secondary to a low back disability (spondylolisthesis L4-5 with degenerative disc disease), and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 29, 2020 and 40 percent thereafter from December 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine was granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent effective from December 19, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is associated with his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's condition is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability. The Veteran's lower back disability and major depressive disorder are granted as secondary to his lower back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service. The case will be sent back for a new opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation before November 26, 2018. His TDIU is granted for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, as secondary to his service-connected right foot disability and for direct service connection. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for eye movement spasms and photophobia due to TBI (also claimed as sensitivity to light, nystagmus, and convergence palsy) is dismissed.,The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with cervical strain (previously rated as cervical strain) is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for right bicep muscle strain is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for right elbow disability with weakness in the right hand is dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.,The appeal for loss of feeling of the right hand is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded, as are his claims for increased ratings and TDIU. The VA will obtain treatment records, schedule examinations, and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. Service connection was denied for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's mood disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 29, 2013. The Board also granted TDIU and SMC based on statutory housebound status effective June 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and neck disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The case is now pending for further development.

Service connection is granted for lower back disability and arthritis of the lumbar spine, but service connection for kidney condition remains pending as remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for bilateral hip, foot, and ankle disabilities is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.