Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for a low back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran’s right hand disability is also rated at the maximum allowable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain service treatment records from Landstuhl Army Hospital and to provide an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 40 percent evaluation from August 3, 2010 to February 24, 2014. His left and right knee disabilities were denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's facial scars are granted a 10 percent rating. The back and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating from April 2, 2013 to August 2, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability during this period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular threshold for a TDIU prior to January 30, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating was at least 70% since July 30, 2013 and 100% effective since January 30, 2019.

The Board dismissed all the issues on appeal, including service connection claims and rating appeals for various conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including heart condition, diabetes, and back condition. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, as well as her exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his spine condition as secondary to his left foot condition due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar disability (DDD of the lumbar spine and thoracic spine strain) is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. A new examination is needed to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and bilateral femoral radiculopathy due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of October 31, 2010. The Board found the Veteran stopped working on that date due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the discovery of relevant, official service department records that existed and had not been associated with his claims file at the time of prior decisions.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2012 for the assignment of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since March 14, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis, is granted as service-connected. The back and neck disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining a new examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current condition is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of VA examination opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to active military service.