Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are remanded due to the severe impact of pain medication on his employment capabilities. The Director of Compensation is requested to consider these factors in evaluating the Veteran’s claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now service-connected for various conditions. However, further evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, Lyme disease, insomnia, and migraines/headaches due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if her conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible date allowable for the grant of service connection is the day following separation from active duty service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder and right hip disorder, right ear hearing loss, sciatica, cervical spine disability, residuals of a right foot injury, depressive disorder, and left arm disability. The issues are secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete examinations and further medical examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea, and mental health problems.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and right ankle disability, both secondary to service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the right second metatarsal. The Veteran's representative requested additional opinions on direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a bladder disorder, including urine incontinence, due to lack of evidence showing onset or causation during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for TBI and associated disabilities is granted, effective May 24, 2017. The Veteran's migraines are service connected as a residual of his TBI. Effective dates for other conditions are set based on the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted. The rating for his spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent, but he is granted a separate rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran was granted a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, osteopenia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, cognitive disorder, and/or depression) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus, Type II due to conflicting evidence regarding current diagnoses and lack of definitive medical nexus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and degenerative disc disease (claimed as low back condition) due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted, and the case is remanded to obtain an adequate nexus opinion.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as they are now moot due to his death.