Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, PTSD/depression, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back condition and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran's symptoms need to be re-evaluated by an appropriate clinician who must consider all evidence, including his lay statements about symptom onset and continuity.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining STRs and SPRs.

The Board has remanded the cases due to pending issues and requests for clarification from the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disorders due to incomplete factual premises in the VA examiner's opinions. The Veteran is required to provide information about any treatment providers, and outstanding VA records are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability due to insufficient rationale in the June 2015 VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to an incident during service where shrapnel was lodged in his body.

This decision denies an increased rating for OSA and grants a TDIU. The Board finds the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity (BLE) radiculopathy, OSA, PTSD, LLE peripheral neuropathy, RLE peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension do not warrant staged ratings as his symptoms have not resulted in chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or the presence of a tracheostomy. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,PTSD has been rated 50 percent disabling since September 16, 2008, and 70 percent disabling since October 24, 2011. Lumbar spine disability was rated 10 percent disabling as of April 20, 2004; LLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; RLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; and hypertension was rated non-compensable as of September 8, 2005. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,PTSD has been rated 50 percent disabling since September 16, 2008, and 70 percent disabling since October 24, 2011. Lumbar spine disability was rated 10 percent disabling as of April 20, 2004; LLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; RLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; and hypertension was rated non-compensable as of September 8, 2005. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of updated employment information, and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also required to provide her most recent vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of chronic constipation and an earlier effective date for a 20% evaluation for residuals of a vertebra fracture. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a vertebra fracture.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DJD with IVDS, radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve, and Morton’s neuroma. The Veteran's Morton’s neuroma remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic/lumbar spine disorder and ADD are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment prior to March 30, 2011.

The Board has determined that the evidence of record meets the minimum threshold for obtaining a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether his sleep apnea is related to service. The case is being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back condition due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in multiple rating decisions, and the Board found no clear and unmistakable error to reverse or amend these decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for extension of a temporary total rating and increases in ratings for lower extremity paresthesias is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions during the relevant periods.