Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for OSA, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and GERD due to evidence indicating their service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 15, 2009 for the Veteran's award of a TDIU due to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence consistently reflects severe back pain that effectively precluded the Veteran from engaging in activities of daily living and interfering with virtually every aspect of his life.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on unemployability (TDIU) due to issues with the Veteran's credibility and incomplete examinations. New VA examinations are needed to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete information regarding her reported flare-ups. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with bunions and degenerative joint disease. The claim for service connection for a back condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability and entitlement to an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The decision is based on incomplete records, specifically missing Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and initial disability ratings for bilateral metatarsalgia and hallux valgus left foot, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded several rating matters related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions, upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, neurogenic bladder, and erectile dysfunction. The issues of effective dates for service connection are also being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine are remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The Veteran is also remanded for service connection on the merits for a left wrist disability, left shoulder tendinitis, and chest pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with history of spinal fusion, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine conditions have been granted increased ratings, with some periods receiving temporary total ratings for convalescence. Service connection for hypertension has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for calluses of the feet was denied in a final rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen this claim.,Service connection for kidney dysfunction, neurological disorder, bladder disorder, and back disorder (claimed as arthritis) were all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining medical records and STRs related to the Veteran's claimed back injury at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and his motor vehicle accident while deployed overseas in Spain.

The Board denied the claim as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the character of the Appellant’s discharge from his second period of service, which barred him from VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain is granted at 40 percent from January 12, 2015. Service connection for TMJ disorder as secondary to PTSD is granted. Claims for left and right hip disabilities are reopened. Effective dates for service connection of lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU from January 12, 2015 are granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, acquired psychological disorder (including stressor related disorder), and back disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied service connection. Service connection for a traumatic brain injury and a headache disability secondary to the traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions are dismissed. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted new and material evidence for service connection claims related to stomach problems, IBS, and a gastrointestinal disorder. However, the claims for throat disability and low back disability remain denied due to lack of chronicity or etiology. The psychiatric claim remains pending as there is no established diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, back, shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for asthma was remanded.