Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, specifically addressing his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's lumbar DDD and COPD are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability and granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The issues of service connection for a back disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as additional development is needed, including obtaining an examination and opinion on the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was reduced from a 40 to a 20 percent rating effective May 1, 2016. The reduction is not proper and the 40 percent rating has been restored.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, heart disability, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence. The reasons are that the Veteran failed to report to scheduled VA examinations for these disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining her employment history and determining if she qualifies for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis due to the combined effects of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent from December 8, 2010 for myofascial lumbosacral pain syndrome with degenerative changes including consideration of the appropriate rating for associated neurological impairments due to incomplete development and lack of specific information regarding incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and a low back condition due to new evidence received since the last denial in December 1993. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is granted a 20% rating, effective January 30, 2017. The Veteran's surgical scar is also granted a 10% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for lumbar spine disability. The case is now pending with the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted, with a rating higher than 20 percent denied for lumbar spine stenosis and a remand ordered for further examination to address the right leg peripheral neuropathy. The RLE neurologic claudication claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent for the period beginning January 23, 2015. However, as of January 10, 2020, a higher rating greater than 40 percent is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbosacral epidural abscess, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were incurred during active duty service or active duty for training. The Board remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, which is considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 1, 2015. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD remains at 20 percent and her TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including verifying his periods of service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's back brace for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease caused wear and tear to his clothing, which is in equipoise with the evidence. The Board granted an annual VA clothing allowance for 2018.