Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back pain and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations and failure to address certain evidence in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim is also being deferred due to its interrelated nature with the rating issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have made it necessary for him to rely on the aid and attendance of another person since March 30, 2016. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from June 30, 2006, onward. The Board granted a 20% disability rating for the period on appeal (not including any periods of convalescence) due to severe muscle spasm and guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, from July 30, 2019, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this claim as it is no longer pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to consider the Veteran's contention that his back condition is related to service as a heavy equipment operator.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right shoulder condition, degenerative changes at L5-S1 with thoracolumbar dextroscoliosis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy require further examination and evaluation to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and left knee disorders due to incomplete pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability is dismissed as he has requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's headaches are not rated higher than zero percent due to the lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and degenerative arthritis on an aggravation basis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing back disability was aggravated during his periods of active service from June 2010 to March 2011 and May 2013 to January 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus by way of aggravation and for lumbar spine strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions were aggravated beyond their natural progression during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 20, 2019, for the award of an initial 40% rating for IVDS with lumbar spondylolisthesis due to lack of factual ascertainability that his disability resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot, left foot, and groin conditions are dismissed. The claims of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins (claimed as bilateral leg problems and bad veins) and lower back condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (to include as secondary to lumbosacral strain), and left knee condition. Service connection was denied for left hip condition and right hip condition due to lack of evidence of current disability.

Your claims for service connection have been granted, but the VA will need to verify your military service and obtain any missing records before making a final determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection is established for a cervical spine disorder, numbness in left arm, and numbness in left hand.