Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he was able to perform sedentary work.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back and neck disorders, as well as their relationship to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues with the rating assigned for the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, as well as a request for an extension of temporary total convalescence rating for his surgery. The claim for TDIU is also pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral ankle Achilles tendonitis with heel spurs and lumbar spine DDD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis and left sided L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuritis of the sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (secondary to spinal stenosis and L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy) is denied as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right leg/knee, right ankle, and right foot disabilities. The decision stated that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), low back disorder, anemia, and bursitis due to additional development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's back disability is still under review.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2009 to November 30, 2012 was denied. The case is remanded for further review of the TDIU claims from December 1, 2012 to February 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spinal stenosis and associated conditions is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteophytes are each granted a 10% disability rating. The Veteran's lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis is denied an initial rating in excess of 10%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current back disorder is being evaluated again, and he may be considered for direct service connection or aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and meningitis due to a lack of sufficient rationale in the VA opinions provided. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding VA treatment records from specific dates and undergoes a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the progression of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its impact on functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The examinations will be rescheduled, and further development is required.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so they have been remanded. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current low back disability severity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and left leg radiculopathy due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of lumbar laminectomy prior to December 5, 2014 and from April 1, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating under the General Rating Formula. For TDIU claim, the Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the threshold requirements for an award of TDIU. The Board granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly limiting his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.