Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of service connection for a lumbosacral strain was granted, and she is now entitled to service connection for this condition. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on her secondary service connection claim for sciatic paralysis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of additional evidence, including medical opinions on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder(s).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was dismissed. The Board also remanded the cases of degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine; right thigh disability; and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and hip disability. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his service-connected disabilities in September 2014, nearly four years ago. In light of the Veteran’s assertions, new VA examinations are required so that the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities may be determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with low back pain and osteoarthritis is being remanded for a new examination to determine its current severity. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities on a schedular basis since March 11, 2008. The appeal for TDIU from February 28, 2008, to March 11, 2008, will be forwarded to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and cannabis abuse is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since March 21, 2011.,Service connection for left shoulder strain and tendinitis, right shoulder strain and tendinitis, and lumbar strain are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and left knee strain, and denied his claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back and neck disability, finding that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions had their onset during active service or were aggravated by periods of inactive duty training.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 9, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding service connection for a left leg disability secondary to his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran should be asked to provide information about his private treatment and any relevant VA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded in several instances due to insufficient evidence or need for further medical evaluation.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral shoulder disabilities, lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease (cervical spine), chondromalacia of the left knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent from January 10, 2017 and continuing thereafter. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since July 16, 2007.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective July 11, 2018. The cervical spine disability remains at a 30 percent rating.