Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection on a direct basis, with the condition having its onset during active duty.,VA compensation for a back disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about functional ankylosis of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which may affect his rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and the claims for increased rating and reopening service connection are being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of this disability and determine if it warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, status post spinal fusion, is rated at 20 percent and denied for a higher rating. The ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE) are also denied.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms are not productive of considerable impairment of health, and a higher rating is denied.,Prior to August 19, 2016, there was no formal claim for an increased rating for back disability or left shoulder disability. The increase in severity of the disabilities was not factually ascertainable in the one year prior to August 19, 2016.,The Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities have worsened since his last examination in 2016, and current examinations are needed before adjudicating these increased rating claims.,Lumbar spine disability: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Left shoulder disability: The matter is denied as the Veteran's claim was not received within one year of a prior decision.,Left knee instability: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Left knee degenerative arthritis manifested by limitation of extension: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Right knee degenerative arthritis: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability and its relationship to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including SSA records, for consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and myositis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral athlete's foot/toenail fungus, tinea cruris (jock itch), left knee disability, right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, bladder disorder, atrial fibrillation, and low back disability.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses related to the claimed conditions at any time since the claims were filed.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The remaining issues are related to right wrist, shoulder, and low back conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbosacral strain is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues are dismissed as moot due to prior grant of benefits.,The Veteran's claims for treatment purposes under 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 for various conditions remain pending and will be remanded.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded all other claims due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left total knee replacements, but granted SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of spondylolisthesis L5-S1 (claimed as low back pain) due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, tinnitus, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and OSA are all granted.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss due to the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as they were found to be duplicative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back condition was granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left leg numbness (paraplegic), right leg numbness (paraplegic), and bilateral foot condition were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 26, 2010. Effective that date, the Veteran is granted an effective date for his TDIU and eligibility to Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance.