Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to one service-connected disability, finding that he was not rendered unemployable based on only one of his service-connected disabilities. The decision is binding only with respect to this specific matter and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myofascial pain in chest and neck have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability (claimed as myofascial pain in back) has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate prior examinations. Additional VA examination opinions are needed, including one addressing the impact of flare-ups on range of motion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 50 percent since July 9, 2018. The appeal is granted for these ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from January 28, 2009 to September 30, 2019. The rating is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records, specifically a 2013 neck x-ray from El Centro Regional Medical Center. The Veteran's claims file needs to be updated with this information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining clarification of the Veteran's dates of service and for new medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of urinary stress incontinence was denied as the evidence did not show that his bladder condition arose prior to April 4, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his disability rating was reduced to 90 percent from May 1, 2022. He does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on a single disability rated at 40% or more and sufficient additional disabilities to bring the combined overall rating to 70% or more.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal, including those related to lumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain, left foot strain, right foot strain, migraines, hearing loss, anxiety condition, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of service connection for thoracolumbar strain, finding that it began during active service and is related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a chronic lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is the primary factor in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Other conditions, such as left knee strain, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, lumbosacral strain, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus, also contribute but do not significantly impact his employability.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as DDD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to a motor vehicle accident sustained during service.

The Veteran's back pain is found to be related to his military service, resolving in favor of granting service connection.,New evidence has been submitted for the left and right knee strains. The Board finds that these conditions are also related to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sciatic radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, chronic left ankle sprain, left knee strain, tinnitus, and left hand eczema with resolved cellulitis, do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded his claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease with thoracic back strain (lumbar spine disability).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for anxiety/depression, bradycardia, hearing loss, left knee disability, low back disability, migraines, right ankle disability, and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ should provide an examination for the Appellant's bradycardia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his lumbar scarring was granted with an effective date of May 3, 2019. The claims for evaluations of his lower extremity radiculopathies and intervertebral disc syndrome are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.