Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased initial rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to outstanding VA examinations not being conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (DDD) associated with right total knee replacement and the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to inadequate development of evidence regarding functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a lumbar back scar, and tinnitus. The remaining claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for herniated nucleus pulpous with a history of lumbar laminectomy and lumbar myositis from July 16, 2003 to March 21, 2016 was denied. For the period beginning on June 1, 2016, his claim for an increased rating was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and information to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability should be rated based on its severity, but more information is needed to make a final determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities, particularly those related to his right foot and back. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding hallux valgus. The back disability claim is inextricably intertwined with the foot disability claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The issues are being returned to the AOJ for review of additional evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes. As a result, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal regarding TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) was accepted by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, low back disability, and sinusitis due to incomplete medical records and insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for residuals of conjunctivitis, a vision problem, hypertension, and right knee disability are not supported by the evidence. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient clarification in the examiner’s opinion. The claims for residuals of conjunctivitis and a vision problem are denied as there is no indication of any current eye conditions that qualify as disabilities for VA purposes. The claims for service connection for right knee disability and lumbar spine disability are remanded as the evidence does not establish a clear link to active duty service.

The claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder is denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work during certain periods, but not currently.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2016 and 10 percent after that date. The Veteran also receives a grant for total unemployability (TDIU).

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the role of service-connected work duties in developing the Veteran's neck disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,For migraines, the Veteran is seeking a rating in excess of the current 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar stenosis and left lower extremity neuropathy, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim. The VA will obtain medical records and verify all of the Veteran’s periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).