Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (low back disability) was restored to a 40 percent rating effective February 1, 2021.,A higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The claims for headaches and hemorrhoids are REMANDED due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause intermittent inability to dress or undress herself, an inability to keep herself ordinarily clean and presentable, and an inability to feed herself through loss of coordination and weakness of the upper extremities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions including GERD, hemorrhoids, chronic headaches, a right hand disability, thoracolumbar spine issues, and radiculopathy in the lower extremities due to the Appellant's dishonorable discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of individual unemployability prior to May 25, 2018 on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and vacated the remand decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination reports and a need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis during the period prior to July 26, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions. Additional development is needed including obtaining STRs and other medical records.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder disorder, peripheral enthesopathy, and lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's claims of polyuria and skin condition (claimed as acne) are remanded for additional development. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radicular conditions. The claims are being returned for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy due to issues with the rating criteria not specifically addressing the effects of medication.

The Board has found that further development is necessary due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The case is being remanded for additional evaluation of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, but do not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining his complete service treatment records, including his separation examination and reserve service records. The VA is required to attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disorders as they are found to be aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of her back disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees, despite considering pain and fatigue. Her PTSD due to MST claim is remanded as there was an error in failing to obtain an adequate addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 40 percent disability. The Board has found that the VA examinations conducted prior to the March 2023 rating decision were inadequate and remanded for further examination. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's above increased-rating claim and must be addressed as well.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine DJD, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve was denied. A 20 percent rating is granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve.