Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to a clothing allowance for 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals, L3-L4 discectomy/laminectomy and PTSD has been denied. The Veteran is also remanded for further evaluation of his back disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected shell fragment wound, right lumbar region was denied. Separate ratings were granted for chronic kidney disease and pulmonary condition as residuals of the same injury. The case is remanded to evaluate muscle group XX injury and determine if it is related to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, neuropathy of the face with motor dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disability, radiculopathy in bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability, and right finger disability, have rendered him unemployable prior to July 30, 2015. The Board granted his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 2013, with separate ratings of 20 percent for each lower extremity radiculopathy. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to incomplete records and a need to consider his service-connected atopic eczematous dermatitis.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and left knee disability. The claims of service connection for back disability, neck disability, and right knee disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted. Service connection for left hip, right hip, and peripheral vascular disease are denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder, loss of vision, and hypertension due to the need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's subjective complaints and available medical literature.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension were not reopened, but his claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board also remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination for the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to use a motorized scooter for mobility, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. Additionally, his permanent and total disability due to service-connected conditions precludes locomotion without aids like braces or crutches, qualifying him for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip strain with degenerative changes and an earlier effective date for calcified herniated L5-S1, status post laminectomy, lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot pain is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hip strain due to lack of a causal relationship between the disability and the service-connected lumbar spine disability. An earlier effective date than November 7, 2007, for calcified herniated L5-S1, status post laminectomy, lumbar spine is denied.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral foot pain due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any of the Veteran's foot conditions are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and skin condition on his back due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for her service-connected sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine and left hip disability were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation based on treatment requiring convalescence, but no higher evaluations were assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has denied service connection for rectovaginal fistula and remanded other claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present back disabilities, including lumbosacral segment dysfunction, sacral somatic dysfunction, and thoracic segmental dysfunction. The Veteran's service records do not show an in-service injury, but her post-service treatment records indicate ongoing symptoms.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, as new and material evidence was received. The claims are granted to this extent.