Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral ear disability, and sinus condition/allergic rhinitis due to inadequate examination reports. The claims are being returned for further evaluation.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues remain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TDIU claim should be remanded for a determination on whether he meets the criteria for extraschedular TDIU prior to July 11, 2014. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2014 for a 100% rating for PTSD was denied as there is no factually ascertainable evidence showing total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD in the year prior to June 18, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2014 for a 10 percent rating for Lumbar Spine Strain with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome was denied as there is no factually ascertainable evidence showing the severity of her lumbar strain met the criteria for a 10 percent rating in the year prior to June 18, 2014.

The Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 40 percent since September 21, 2018. For the period prior to that date, a higher rating was denied as his range of motion did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a link to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 3, 2011 and August 17, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy and sciatica associated with his lumbosacral strain have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that the condition was not caused or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease (DDD) L4-5, L5-S1 is denied as the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 1, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted effective July 17, 2017.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral hand/knuckle disability remain pending. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as the relationship between his current disabilities and his service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for hiatal hernia was granted, and service connection for hypertension, PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, major depressive disorder, right little finger ankylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for various conditions was also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be obtained. The claims for service connection will be remanded until VA can obtain these records.

The Board has not fully addressed the service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity disability, including as secondary to a low back disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for low back disorder and PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

This decision dismisses the appeal for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. It grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The appeals for service connection of various conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran reported injuries and breathing problems during service, which need to be verified through alternative sources.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the use of a low back brace, but his shirts are not damaged by the brace. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance.