Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment for the period from November 20, 2014 to September 24, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions, specifically regarding records from Robins Air Force Base and post-service medical treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for high blood pressure, excessive sweating (night sweats), sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, and lower back disability. These claims are now addressed on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and clarification of whether the Veteran suffers from ankylosis, which affects his current claim for increased disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted an increased rating of 40 percent effective February 18, 2014. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU for the period prior to March 26, 2009 due to lack of schedular criteria. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in gainful employment during this time.,For the period from March 26, 2009 to September 11, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and because of the need for further examination.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as there are no findings that warrant an increase in disability compensation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and headache disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is advised that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle strain, left ankle strain, low back muscle strain, and right knee strain were previously denied in October 2012. New evidence submitted since then did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability was also previously denied in June 2013. The new evidence received since that decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities must be remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic low back pain is remanded due to incomplete examination and the need for new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's numbness of the right lower extremity. The issues are to be addressed in light of the July 1976 and September 1976 service treatment records, as well as a diagnosis of sciatica as early as April 1989.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent effective June 11, 2019. The left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent effective June 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The claims are now pending and need further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relation to his active duty service. The VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate, and a new examination with an addendum is needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity and any associated neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine, L1, L5-S1 and associated radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's mid-back disability (previously claimed as left shoulder pain) is also remanded for further examination to determine its relationship to her service-connected low back disability.