Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for various upper extremity and spinal disorders were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran had not been provided with adequate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder and spine conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right leg condition, and sciatica due to insufficient medical opinions addressing continuity of symptomatology and the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's low back disability. The issues of evaluating left knee and right knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion and acquiring updated VA and/or private treatment records. The issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to special monthly compensation due to housebound are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Diabetes mellitus, Type II with retinopathy does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent due to the absence of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding pertinent records and a new VA examination.

The appeal for an increased disability rating higher than 40 percent for the service-connected back disability is dismissed as moot due to prior final Board decisions and subsequent Court Memorandum decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability had its onset during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other criteria.

The Board has determined that additional remands are necessary for the Veteran's lumbar strain, left hip injury, and right shoulder dislocation claims due to inadequate range of motion testing in prior VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD and low back disorder. This includes obtaining missing records, verifying stressors, and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to incomplete compliance with previous directives. The Veteran needs updated VA treatment records, an orthopedic examination, and a neurological examination.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. The petition to reopen a previously denied claim for a back disability was granted, and the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to service-connected back disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative joint disease and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,Service connection for the low back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia) is remanded due to incomplete information regarding service connection criteria.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and insomnia, may be related to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2008 and increased to 20 percent from March 12, 2019. The Board finds this rating is appropriate given the sensory symptoms of pain, numbness, and paresthesia.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of motor function impairment or other neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for low back strain or major depressive disorder.,The Veteran was service-connected for his conditions under direct criteria, meaning they were not presumed based on a specific exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by their service-connected left hip and back disabilities. The Veteran contends that their current right knee disability was caused by a landmine incident during active duty in Vietnam.