Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a minimum of 10 percent for the period prior to July 12, 2016.,Effective November 14, 2019, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it began during his active duty and is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's representative was not provided an opportunity for a hearing prior to the review, but this is not considered prejudicial as they will be given another chance after the development.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, but granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities.,Service connection was established for low back disability due to in-service injury during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has led to his early retirement, and the Board is unable to determine if he qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to this condition. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are denied.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from January 6, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a denial of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and related issues due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on this issue.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left index finger and low back disabilities. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between the current conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, including a history of acute lumbar strain, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disability to his active duty service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is granted service connection. The left and right knee disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 30, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health condition has been reopened, and to the extent it is granted, he will be awarded service connection. The claim for service connection for his back condition has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness on entry into service and insufficient medical opinions to establish a nexus between current spinal conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development and consideration, including those related to migraines, right and left carpel tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), back pains and low back strain, and flatfeet.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for back disability and earlier effective date for service-connected elbow disability. The Veteran's lay statements of in-service falls and continuous pain since service were not addressed in the May 2018 VA examination, so an addendum opinion is needed.