Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to an in-service back injury and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including a lack of VA examination and service treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence and undergo further evaluation.

The Board has remanded three issues: the initial rating for a low back disability, the initial rating for an inguinal hernia scar, and the issue of SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. Additional development is needed in each case.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbosacral and thoracic strain, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, was denied. The rating for lumbosacral and thoracic strain from June 5, 2014 to November 18, 2019 is still at 20 percent. From November 19, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's condition has been rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to new evidence showing worsening of his service-connected low back disabilities and left knee chondromalacia with meniscal repair and residual scars. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations, obtain additional records, and provide a full review of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and back condition due to additional development being necessary.,Service connection is denied for cervical condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, heavy metal poisoning due to Gulf War (including renal involvement), and back condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee and right knee disabilities, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and TDIU. The reasons include the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating based on current medical examination findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, neck disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left leg disorder due to new theories of causation introduced during a hearing. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, GAD, and MDD), and sleep disorder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbosacral spine arthritis. The claim of entitlement to service connection for asbestosis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for residuals of frostbite on right and left fingers, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's statements about in-service injuries are considered credible, and VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and ulcer disorder. The case is now back before the Board for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle condition have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since February 15, 2018. A TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) in the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent prior to September 21, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy (femoral nerve) in both lower extremities are each rated at 30 percent from September 21, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left lower extremity sciatica, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability were denied. The right ankle and left ankle disabilities received initial ratings of 20 percent each.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and associated lower extremity radiculopathy, do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to May 31, 2016. The Board also found that there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back and left knee disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder was rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it did not warrant a higher rating due to lack of flexion less than 30 degrees and no incapacitating episodes. The appeal is denied.