Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities was denied. A separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to September 19, 2017, and a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 31, 2019 onwards were granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disability and determine if he should be granted an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and sciatic nerve disorder due to additional development being needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding the Veteran's bladder and bowel problems, which may be related to his service-connected thoracolumbar strain. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for cervical spine disability and neurological disabilities of the right and left upper extremities. The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease (DDD), on an aggravation basis. Service connection was also granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DDD.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left hip associated with right hip degenerative joint disease is denied. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is remanded to address a claim of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and coccygeal fracture residuals were denied. The rating for the lumbar spine condition remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative spondylitis and disc disease L5/S1, an initial compensable rating for vascular headaches, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and worker's compensation records that need to be obtained. The Veteran’s back disorder will be reviewed again based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for cervical disc disorder, back disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the claim for a higher rating prior to September 27, 2016 remains in appellate status.,A remand is required due to deficiencies within the Board’s analysis regarding additional functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition and neck disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the Veteran's claims for service connection involving her right elbow, right hip, left hip, low back, sinus, and hypertension conditions. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records from rheumatologists and undergo examinations to determine the nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in service. The Board found that the current disability is not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back condition and arthritis, finding that there is no evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and in-service injury. The appeal cannot be reopened on the basis of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disorder, including whether it preexisted service or was caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back strain and degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The decision is based on secondary service connection due to his service-connected residuals of fracture, distal and fibula with diminished right ankle motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 6, 2012.