Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and incomplete medical records. The claims will be reviewed with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and neck disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee, low back, or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims will be reviewed with additional medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability from July 1, 2009, to April 22, 2022. The examiner is required to provide specific measurements of range of motion lost due to pain in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and heart disease due to incomplete records, lack of VA examination, and need for updated medical records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD/MDD have been granted. However, the appeal is mixed as some issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence or further development needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 20, 2016. The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the entire period on appeal and also granted TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and ankle disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, or attend to his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left ankle, and left hand disabilities due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with depression is rated at 50 percent effective April 22, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence received is both new and relevant, and thus the appeals are granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence received is considered new and relevant, warranting a readjudication of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and anxiety, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that is related to these conditions.,Specifically, there was no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,For tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing more than 20% body or exposed area affected.,The Veteran's low back disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development as VA examinations may be necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Chronic sinusitis and headaches have been remanded due to lack of evidence showing current disability or in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's preexisting back condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain with post traumatic degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were received on April 21, 2019. The Board found that an increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within a year prior to the receipt of his claim and thus denied earlier effective dates.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in the March 2020 VA examination and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.