Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for a new VA examination, consideration of extraschedular evaluation, and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD was restored from March 1, 2016. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been rendered moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar DDD has been reopened and is being remanded for further examination. The claims for left knee disorder and right knee disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from January 12, 2010 to January 28, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence demonstrates symptoms of limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of DDD of the lumbar spine and service connection for bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to outstanding development needs.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine or neck disability as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence from the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations, and ensuring compliance with remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of increased rating for back disability, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left arm and nerve damage due to pacemaker placement, and special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 10, 2012 was denied. From March 10, 2012 onward, the Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, neck disability, back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and depression. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, are granted ratings of 40 percent each. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20 percent. TDIU is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to any in-service injury or disease. The Board also found insufficient evidence of arthritis developing within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability, including a left leg length discrepancy and gait abnormality, is related to her service-connected low back disability. The low back disability remains under review for an increased rating. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's employment status.