Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his back, hip, and right distal fibula disabilities due to inadequate testing during previous examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right index finger disability, back disability, and respiratory disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, and malaria. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence showing the Veteran was seen and prescribed pain medication in June 2009 for back pain and bilateral knee pain. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs is rated at 50 percent, effective September 26, 2003.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder (claimed as back pain) due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to November 2, 2017. After that date, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for headaches prior to July 17, 2017, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's disability rating for low back strain has been restored to 20 percent effective May 1, 2015. The matter of a higher rating is remanded due to the possibility of improvement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, lumbar spine DDD/DJD, and right shoulder impingement syndrome due to lack of medical evidence supporting a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues, including reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigning initial ratings for other disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and pulmonary disability. The effective dates of these determinations are November 29, 1991. Service connection for migraines and chronic sinusitis have also been granted with effective dates of the same date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to failure to report to a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for back disability, bilateral shin splints. Additional evidence is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current disabilities and service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, hemorrhoids, and PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, insomnia, hypertension, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which affect a single body system or arise from a common etiology, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entirety of the appeal period. As such, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell’s palsy, cervical spine DDD, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine foraminal stenosis and status post left knee meniscectomies were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned evaluations.

The Veteran's depression and adjustment disorder secondary to left shoulder, left knee, and low back pain are rated at 50% prior to June 12, 2017. A rating of 70% is granted for the period from June 12, 2017 forward. The associated lumbar LLE radiculopathy is rated at 10%. The limitation of motion on extension of the left knee is rated at 0%, and a separate rating not to exceed 10% for non-LOM symptoms of left knee bursitis and posterior cruciate ligament strain (September 10, 2011 to April 21, 2014) is granted. The superficial painful scars are rated at 0%, and a compensable rating for scar residual, forehead, is denied.