Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His lumbar spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes, ankylosis, or other criteria warranting a higher rating. His seborrheic dermatitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The appeal regarding the timeliness of the January 2020 VA Form 9 is dismissed. The claims for increased evaluations are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional errors and the need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease with complete L4 laminectomy and posterior L2-S1 fusion, as well as secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment solely because of these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress with insomnia resulted in occupational and social impairment from March 9, 2015 to September 2, 2021. The claim for service connection of the back disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder is remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee replacement and lumbosacral strain with spinal fusions and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's son A. was recognized as a helpless child for VA purposes, and the effective date of February 5, 2013, is granted for additional dependency benefits based on this recognition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for lumbar disc disease and neck disability due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 2, 2014, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because he did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a headache disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of current diagnoses and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an effective date of May 17, 2013, for separate disability ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies. The Board also granted a disability rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from May 17, 2013, to the present.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints, left and right lower extremities, and allergic rhinitis. The lumbosacral strain (back pain) claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis is caused by his service-connected right ankle strain, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with scoliosis is remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy in most instances but granted a 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from February 11, 2019, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 27, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, blood clots in legs, foot spurs, lumbosacral spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder as the weight of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on a statutory housebound basis due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and will now reconsider the claim of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for specific periods. The TDIU claims are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran was not notified of his right to a pre-decisional hearing prior to the February 2022 rating decision, which requires correction.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The case is being remanded for an examination and opinion.