Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed insufficient to determine if he is unemployable. A new examination and updated VA treatment records are needed to assess the cumulative effect of his conditions on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and hammer toes. The appeal regarding the hammer toes condition is remanded to obtain an updated VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The appeal regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board also referred the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 8, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and left leg sciatica were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective January 5, 2015.

The Veteran's low back condition was rated at 10 percent prior to May 3, 2018 and increased to 20 percent since that date. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse), and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right elbow, and low back disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with thoracolumbar spondylosis and scoliosis, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbar strain and related conditions are rated at 20 percent, but the appeal is denied as there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis or IVDS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate examination in March 2013. The issues will require further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right shoulder and arm injury is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability, as well as the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the initial evaluation claim for DDD of the lumbar spine due to insufficient information regarding functional loss during flare-ups and the presence or absence of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left foot disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left leg, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The claims are remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back disorder. The issues of service connection for cervical spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right shoulder condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service. The VA will obtain additional records and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on this issue.