Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied a higher evaluation for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 16, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for a lower back disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and COPD.

The Veteran's representative requested the withdrawal of all remaining issues in this appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeals for left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and low back disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the Veteran's scoliosis and determine if his back condition is related to service, as well as obtain additional VA opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and related lower extremity radiculopathy issues has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent prior to December 23, 2021, and higher than 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine DDD and HIV due to insufficient evidence on record. The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine DDD is reopened, but service connection remains denied. Service connection for HIV was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic upper respiratory infection, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine condition secondary to low back injury due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective May 26, 2011, based on the combined effects of service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran incapable of substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the TDIU claim can be decided. The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other conditions are considered in determining his employability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and PTSD, including owing to MST, need further development before they can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back injury is service connected as it occurred during his active duty and he experienced pain in and since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The rating for residuals of left ear cyst excision was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is not etiologically related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine condition due to potential aggravation during service, and requests additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbosacral strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 11, 2018. The rating for his lumbar strain remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent prior to March 14, 2022, or higher than 20 percent thereafter.