Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, back disability, and right ear hearing loss. The broken nose claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and left knee disability, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain a new VA examination for the right knee disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back condition are granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypertension, testicle condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 2011 for the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran met the percentage requirement for a schedular TDIU at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded. The TDIU claim remains pending and will be readjudicated after an updated examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and a respiratory disability. The low back disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% and now receives a 50% rating due to the severity of his condition being akin to unfavorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, left shoulder disability, and lower back disability have been granted. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate notification of private chiropractic records and insufficient secondary medical nexus opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to service and remanded for further examination. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and nerve damage associated with a lumbar spine disorder remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disorder, finding it at least as likely as not related to his already service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,For the period prior to January 14, 2020, the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. For the period beginning on January 14, 2020, it is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and a right ankle disability, as well as an increased rating for panic disorder without agoraphobia and antisocial personality disorder. The Board also remanded several issues including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and SMC based upon the need for aid and attendance.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and right ankle disabilities were not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete development of records, failure to attend scheduled examinations, and need for additional medical opinions. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran contends his current back conditions are related to an in-service injury, but VA records do not support this claim.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, posttraumatic headaches, sleep apnea, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with neck sprain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The effective date for service connection of these conditions ranges from April 27, 2016 to September 20, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability was denied, and the Board found that he met the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his reported in-service injury.