Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lower and upper back problems was granted. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings, initial compensable disability ratings, and service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is asked to provide records from or identify the physical therapy clinic he received treatment at in Milwaukee in the 1990s, and an examination will be scheduled if necessary.

The Veteran's neck or cervical spine disability is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to service-connected back disability.,The Veteran's lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as meralgia paresthetica) is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is caused by obesity, which may be aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative changes L5-S1 with disc herniation (claimed as back condition) has been reopened, but the issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his back condition is aggravated by his service-connected knee conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD ratings are granted, but her claims for service connection of various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The claims for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability are denied, but the low back disability with right side radiculopathy remains under review.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and no higher.,The Veteran's left foot numbness with plantar fasciitis (left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) is rated at 20 percent from January 10, 2019.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain in-service and post-service treatment records for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to July 10, 2019 and at 20 percent thereafter. The rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded three separate claims for increased ratings: lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is to be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

Effective January 31, 2013, the Veteran received increased ratings for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affecting his left shoulder and knees. Effective February 15, 2013, he also received additional disability ratings for recurrent dislocations of each shoulder and instability of each knee.,The effective date for the reduction in rating for chronic strain of the lumbosacral spine from 20% to 10% was January 8, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is not related to his active duty service, while he was diagnosed with PTSD during service and continues to have symptoms attributable to it.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 18, 2019. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for the period from February 26, 2013 to August 18, 2019. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim remains pending as it was previously denied and he contends he is unemployable due to his back condition.

The Board previously denied the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran appealed, and the Court Clerk granted a JMPR which vacated the decision regarding secondary service connection as caused or aggravated by right knee instability. Further development is required to determine the nature and etiology of the lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with posterior disc bulge and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to additional evidence being added to the record. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU effective December 2, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's back disability is related to his service, including a motor vehicle accident during his October 1992 period of INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his right knee, lower back, and left leg disabilities. He is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back pain and right knee condition due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and stomach ulcers have been reopened, and the appeals are granted. The remaining issues remain in remand status.