Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the periods from September 15, 2014 to January 6, 2016 and from January 16, 2018 to February 26, 2020.

The Veteran's low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies have been granted initial ratings. The issue of service connection for a chronic kidney disability has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a thorough VA examination of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including low back, left knee, bilateral trigger finger, hiatal hernia, and undiagnosed muscle and joint pain. The VA examinations requested in previous remands have not been conducted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination opinions and incomplete medical records.

The appeal is dismissed as no valid timely notice of disagreement was received for the issues of service connection and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for increase in disability evaluations and total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability prior to June 3, 2024. The Veteran's disabilities need further assessment by VA medical personnel.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 23, 2019, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to inadequate opinion and potential secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies due to incomplete examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it started during service and continued to present.

The appeal for service connection of migraine headaches is dismissed. The case for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, including IVDS with scoliosis, is remanded.

The Board has found that service connection for a low back condition would not be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Court set aside the September 2021 decision because VA did not obtain all relevant treatment records before making its determination. The Board is now remanding the case to correct the error in listing the condition as cervical spine, request authorization for private medical records related to a low back condition, and address the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is no longer on appeal due to service connection being awarded. The case is now remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 7, 2005 to October 2, 2007. The effective date is based on the Veteran's service-connected back disability and her inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been improperly adjudicated due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records and Social Security disability records. The case is being remanded to correct this error.

The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for TDIU based on her service-connected conditions, but the AOJ denied this request. The Board is remanding the case to allow VA's Director of Compensation Service to consider whether extraschedular TDIU should be granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that his current condition is related to military service.