Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck, back, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the VA examinations and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, knee, back, and hand disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's conditions and lack of a clear diagnosis for PTSD under DSM-5.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and mixed headache syndrome, migraine predominant were granted initial ratings of 40 percent prior to February 22, 2010; from May 1, 2010 until November 16, 2015; and beginning November 16, 2015. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU effective September 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and other symptoms related to her degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with posterolisthesis.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for arthritis, back disability, lung disability, and sleep disorder as there is no controversy or claim regarding these conditions. The appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right thumb disability, or for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he could not secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2012. The Board found the VA examinations inadequate and ordered additional examination on his low back disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 20% rating prior to October 21, 2014 and denied any higher rating after that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD with L5 spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and IVDS is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee scar is not compensable.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding military records and inadequate VA examination for neck disability. The claims for service connection are not decided yet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI have been reopened, with the claim for allergic rhinitis with epistaxis being denied.,Service connection has been granted for migraine and post-concussion traumatic headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has been granted for limitation of flexion of the right knee, but an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder sprain is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder degenerative changes.,The Veteran's left hand numbness and right hand numbness are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their relationship to his service-connected conditions or other factors.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative changes are being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion limitations due to pain.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with thoracic spine degenerative changes is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion limitations due to pain.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded for a VA dermatologist opinion on whether his topical treatment constitutes systemic therapy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lower back disability was denied, but his service connection claim for PTSD was not addressed. The decision granted restoration of the 40 percent rating for lower back disability effective March 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative arthritis with spondylosis, right hip strain as secondary to the low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability. Service connection was denied for left hip disorder and left leg disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no competent medical opinion supporting his claim and noting that his lay contentions are outweighed by the August 2017 examination opinion.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 14, 2010 because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.