Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease with spinal stenosis, right leg distal tibia and fibula fracture with traumatic arthritis, and right eye diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted, but his other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and new examinations are needed to assess his current diagnoses and determine if they are related to active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the claims for increased ratings are denied. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, but has remanded the issue to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and residuals of a paraspinal tumor are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from being able to work in an office setting.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with his lumbar spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracic spine, and right knee disabilities. The claims are being reviewed again as separate issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new VA medical evidence. The issues will be reconsidered, and a decision will be provided.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's service-connected back and left lower extremity radiculopathy are still under appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,A TDIU claim is also being remanded as part of this appeal.

The Veteran is granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected lower back disability and TDIU benefits from July 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work prior to September 9, 2015, for his service-connected lumbosacral strain (claimed as herniated disc). The case is being returned to obtain a retrospective opinion from an examiner focusing solely on the impact of this condition on the Veteran's employability during that period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder-AC separation, right knee strain (recharacterized as total knee replacement), cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain, left elbow avulsion injury with residuals, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, GERD, malaria residuals, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for his right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculopathies have been granted increased evaluations, a TDIU has been awarded, and the extension of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria is granted.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the claim for an increased rating remains pending.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is each rated at 20 percent, effective April 10, 2014. The claim for higher ratings remains pending.,SMC based on need for aid and attendance was denied as the evidence did not show that the Veteran was helpless or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, but has remanded them due to additional development being needed. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and heart disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal of his claims for service connection for back, left hip, and right hip disabilities before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disc herniation and degenerative joint disease, as well as the ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted. The evidence shows that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from performing the physical acts required for employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, including bruised coccyx bone and bulging disc, is being reopened due to submission of new evidence.