Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory disability (other than OSA) are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the Board finds that additional information is needed to properly evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including their impact on employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a neck disability (previously claimed as upper back disability), and other conditions. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, an eye disability (bilateral dry eyes syndrome), and headaches with dizziness due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's contentions of chronicity post-service are considered.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again after the examinations are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee, right ankle, left ankle, and lumbar spondylosis disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent prior to May 9, 2017 and 10 percent from that date. The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 10 percent prior to May 15, 2017 and 20 percent from that date.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his bilateral hearing loss and lumbar strain disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 25, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show that his hearing loss was more severe than what was reflected by his previously assigned evaluations.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 25, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show that his disability manifested to warrant a higher rating prior to the VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 12, 2014. Prior to that date, the Board denied his claim for a TDIU on schedular grounds but remanded it for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current skin disability is related to service or exposure to jet fuel.

The Veteran is seeking increased initial ratings for service-connected IBS, right ankle disability, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The May 2003 rating decision establishing these conditions did not become final due to the submission of a notice of disagreement within one year, thus revision on CUE cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee and lower back disabilities due to conflicting evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of right leg radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar strain. A TDIU rating was granted from May 1, 2021. Increased ratings were granted for depressive disorder and lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to injuries sustained during his National Guard duty in January 2002.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine and cervical disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.