Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide the Veteran's representative with a copy of the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions. The examiner must consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for left knee degenerative arthritis, during the period from May 15, 2018 to July 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and requests for updated evaluations of the Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed as they were previously decided.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The issues are being returned to the Board due to a lack of adequate medical opinions in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, variously diagnosed as scoliosis, chronic mechanical low back syndrome, lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar facet arthropathy, and lumbosacral disc degeneration is granted. The RO will remand the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence not previously reviewed by the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 5, 2012 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with contusion and degenerative arthritis (lumbar strain) is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's disability rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for myopia and astigmatism, thoracolumbar spine disorder, acquired mental disorders (including PTSD), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned an effective date. The right arm gunshot wound residuals are being remanded for further examination, and the TDIU rating is also being remanded.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with posterior disc bulge and remanded the issue of an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, right leg length discrepancy, left leg length discrepancy, and a sleep disorder (to include as secondary to service-connected depression with insomnia). The Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service. Sleep apnea was noted in post-service records but no VA examination or opinion has been obtained regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's disability rating for strain, sprain and spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine prior to May 21, 2020 was granted at a 20 percent level. However, his request for a higher rating after that date is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a low back disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since September 10, 2019. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent prior to January 4, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board denied a claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's disability has been manifested by pain and limited range of motion but not to the extent required for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to lumbar spine, neck trauma, bilateral shoulders, and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, his recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder is granted a noncompensable rating, and he has service connection for his left ankle and lower back disabilities as secondary to his right ankle disability.