Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, bilateral hip arthritis, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 9, 2006. The decision grants a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted. He was awarded a separate 10 percent rating from October 2, 2020, for instability of the right knee. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. The current evaluations are 10 percent for all conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but the underlying merits of the claims remain in dispute. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's low back disability was not related to an in-service injury or disease. His bilateral hearing loss was not secondary to his service-connected disabilities and was not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. His hypertension was not secondary to a service-connected disability and was not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease was also denied as it was not secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating for cervical spondylosis with foraminal stenosis at C6-C7. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not considered service-connected, and the current evaluation of 10% for cervical spine disability prior to December 23, 2014, remains unchanged.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a back disability due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of acquired psychiatric disability, low back disability, bilateral foot disability, and fibromyalgia has been remanded due to need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective November 25, 2016. The rating for the period prior to this date remains denied.,Both lower extremity polyneuropathy conditions are rated at 40 percent effective November 25, 2016. The ratings for these conditions before this date remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain all necessary records, including those from a private chiropractor. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to April 17, 2015. The TDIU issue is not currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for angina is granted. The claim for service connection for a disability manifested by vision loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression), and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded. Service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbar stenosis with disc herniation and degenerative changes due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset of the disability during service or its relationship to service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and has therefore remanded both issues for further development, including requesting additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has also remanded the issues of respiratory disability and back disability for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and lumbar strain due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The issues are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension due to service connection issues. The earlier effective date claim is also remanded.