Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee DJD and meniscus injury, fibromyalgia, right ankle strain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine DDD with right and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted ratings from specific dates. The Veteran is also receiving separate compensable ratings for instability and scars related to the right knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was caused or aggravated by VA medical care, specifically static pelvic traction. However, they determined this was not a result of negligence on the part of VA and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder resulted in symptoms including flattened affect, chronic sleep impairment, anger and irritability, panic, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for MDD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and functional loss issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to notify the Veteran of private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure of the Veteran to provide authorization for private medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and right wrist disability are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU, finding that his disability picture did not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes or meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of L1820 knee braces with hinges, but denied a clothing allowance for use of a TENS unit. The decision is based on evidence showing that the knee braces cause wear and tear to outergarments like pants, while the TENS unit does not.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, fatigue, sleep disturbances, skin problems, and headaches. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence. Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to determine if his current cervical spine disability is caused or worsened by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The claim has been reopened, but service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Veteran's left knee disability remains in dispute with new examinations needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA could provide supportive evidence for some of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, low back disability, and major depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The initial rating for his low back disability has been increased to 40 percent effective April 24, 2018, and he is now rated at 70 percent for his major depressive disorder. He also received a TDIU based on both disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability from September 23, 2002, to April 19, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for any of the conditions listed, as there is no evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his knee disabilities and reopening of a previously denied thoracolumbar spine disorder claim have been dismissed. The TDIU claim has also been remanded.