Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective August 17, 2009 due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The decision also acknowledges the impact of other conditions and non-service connected disabilities on employment.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the issue of entitlement to secondary service connection remains remanded. The rating and temporary total convalescence ratings for the right ankle disability are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU prior to October 24, 2018 and from October 24, 2018. The decision found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities but not during the period of a temporary total evaluation or since he received a combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back condition has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a chronic lumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorders, and neurological disorders of the upper extremities, as there was no evidence showing these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability required surgery on June 26, 2013. The Board found that the surgery was for a service-connected condition and that it necessitated at least one month of convalescence. Therefore, the Veteran is entitled to a temporary total evaluation based on this surgery.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional examination of the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from March 7, 2016 to January 17, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that VA obtain relevant treatment records from various sources and schedule the Veteran for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in June 2018. The case must be remanded for a comprehensive VA examination and opinion addressing all theories of entitlement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for hernia, right side is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection has not been established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as the Veteran's claims are based on unsupported lay assertions without corroborating evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spinal disabilities are at least as likely as not related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at L4 and L5 S1, along with chronic strain of the lumbar spine, is rated 20 percent disabling. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities remains rated 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her migraine headaches is denied.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as her cervical strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral eye disorder, gastric cancer (due to herbicide exposure), low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (Crohn’s disease), and hypertension due to incomplete development of evidence.