Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but he is seeking a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of various disabilities and to obtain relevant VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to conflicting findings and a need for clarification on the severity of his current back disability. Additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination, is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear records and need for additional examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his back brace and skin medication, triamcinolone acetonide, as there is no evidence that either item causes wear and tear to his clothing or irreparable damage.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the low back disability, including an in-service injury or event. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to age-related degeneration and unrelated to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary for the Veteran's claims of lower back disability and insomnia due to incomplete rationale in previous opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back pain, currently diagnosed as narrowing at L5-S1, began during service and has been ongoing ever since. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to January 23, 2015. From that date forward, the rating is increased to 20%. The decision also addresses left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis and PTSD were denied. The rating for traumatic arthritis was not higher than 20 percent, while the rating for PTSD was not higher than 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain disability and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current low back disability relates to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development and examination: back disability, bilateral foot disability, diabetes, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran asserts that his disabilities are related to service, particularly exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's lumbar IVDS left gluteal numbness and right gluteal numbness are rated at 20 percent each since October 8, 2010. The initial compensable evaluations for the period prior to October 8, 2010, were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar IVDS left gluteal numbness and right gluteal numbness are rated at 20 percent each since October 8, 2010. The initial compensable evaluations for the period prior to October 8, 2010, were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar IVDS left gluteal numbness and right gluteal numbness are rated at 20 percent each since October 8, 2010. The initial compensable evaluations for the period prior to October 8, 2010, were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee total arthroplasty and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 24, 2013, to January 31, 2016. His TDIU claim is granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of various conditions, including onychomycosis, sleep disorder, right thumb disability, psychiatric disability (likely posttraumatic stress disorder), pes planus, chest pain, and back disability. The VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for his right and left knee braces, as well as a second allowance for his back brace. The decision stated that the knee braces did not tend to wear out or tear his clothes, and that he was only entitled to one clothing allowance per appliance.