Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's neck disability was granted a rating of 30 percent effective as of August 7, 2020. The back disability was also granted a rating of 40 percent effective as of January 28, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hypertension or an abdominal scar, and there was no clear evidence of radiculopathy warranting separate ratings.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from April 17, 2017, to August 25, 2019.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right ear hearing loss are granted as service connected.,Residuals of traumatic brain injury disability is rated at 10 percent from July 26, 2017 to September 16, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and sciatica, finding that the appellant's reports of symptoms were not credible due to his contemporaneous denials at separation and the objectively normal medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to perform substantially gainful employment, and thus granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee impairments, as well as cervical degenerative disc disease and c-spine fusion, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,New evidence has been submitted that may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion that addresses the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no credible evidence of an in-service injury or symptomatology and noting that he does not currently experience any current back disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative thoracolumbar spine, a 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a 10 percent for right shoulder anterior cruciate degenerative joint disease, and a 10 percent for a sinus condition. The appeal is also dismissed for service connection claims including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, right hip arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as adjustment disorder and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left knee and lumbar spine disorders as secondary to service-connected right knee instability and/or chondromalacia patella due to inadequate etiology opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a heart disorder, including aortic stenosis; thoracolumbar spine disorder; and tinnitus. The Veteran is asked to provide any missing medical records from his employment physical and service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are related to his service due to a fall in service. As such, the claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left hip strain and right hip strain are both rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the lack of additional limitation in range of motion.,Both conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection for various conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar degenerative disease (back disability) is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of her back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for scarring as residuals of acne, tinea skin (claimed as barbae folliculitis) was denied. The claim for service connection for lumbar spine strain was granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an eye condition, right knee disability, and back disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The eye condition claim was denied as there is no diagnosed eye condition other than refractive errors. Right knee and back disability claims require further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and neck disability.,The Board has also determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and neck disability.