Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for back disability, service connection for depression as secondary to back disability, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. A VA examination is needed to address these matters.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for fibromyositis and lumbar spine, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain with discogenic disc disease, right hip pain, and left hip pain as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rating increases for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches. Additional medical records are needed to support these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis status post laminectomy, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition had its onset during or is otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that the current conditions were not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back pain, left shoulder pain, and tinnitus have been granted. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is remanded due to the need for further verification of stressor events.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders and cervical spine DDD are remanded due to lack of a VA examination. The claim for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection.,Prior to December 5, 2019, the Veteran's tension and vascular headaches are not entitled to a compensable rating. Beginning December 5, 2019, they are rated at 30 percent.,An effective date of July 21, 2017 is granted for the grant of service connection for tension and vascular headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI and lumbar strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 5, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for bruxism (grinding of teeth) and temporomandibular joint disorder have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, has not resulted in a compensable rating due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and bilateral shoulder disability is dismissed.,The appeals of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral hand disability, secondary to the right wrist disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and remands are necessary for further evaluations of the Veteran's lumbar spine, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and left knee strain. The right shoulder disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition and hyperparathyroidism. The neck condition claim is denied, while the endocrine system claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD is granted a 40 percent rating, effective December 2, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with a history of compression fractures prior to December 4, 2019 and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition from December 4, 2019. The remand is due to errors in the Veteran's prior and most recent VA examinations.