Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, L5-S1, was rated at 20 percent prior to August 6, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent from that date. The Board found no basis for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examinations and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition. The right hip and right leg conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC, finding that his death was not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 24, 2016. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ankle disability was rated 10% prior to December 11, 2017 and 20% from that date forward. The low back disability was rated 10% before April 26, 2016, 20% from April 26, 2016 to February 26, 2018, and 40% from February 27, 2018. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated 10% before June 22, 2017 and 20% after that date. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated 10% before June 22, 2017 and 20% after that date. The cervical spine disability was rated 10% prior to April 26, 2016 and 20% after that date. The right upper extremity radiculopathy was rated 40% from June 22, 2017. The left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated 20% from June 22, 2017. The right knee and left knee disabilities were both denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was remanded due to the need for additional medical guidance and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Board has referred these issues back to the AOJ due to procedural issues with his initial claim forms. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches due to the absence of a current diagnosis. The claims for back condition, bilateral knees, and bilateral ankles are remanded as the VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective August 1, 2008, the date he first received service connection for his disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional low back disability claimed to have resulted from participation in a VA Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program. The Board has determined that an adequate examination is required and remands the case for further development.

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, finding that the evidence does not support a disability rating in excess of 10 percent during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board found no evidence to support a finding that his back or left foot disabilities are related to military service. The Veteran's migraines were rated at 50% since June 2, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar disk bulging and facet degeneration of L4-5, as well as service connection for schizophrenia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot numbness, and bilateral foot strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or back disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for ddd of the lumbar spine due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue of TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.