Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities and a rating increase, as additional VA clinical documentation was recently added to the record.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar myositis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 7, 2021.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as noncompensable, but her claim for service connection is remanded.,The Veteran's gastric ulcer is secondary to prescribed medication for service-connected headaches and the claim is reopened. Service connection is also remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disorder is granted based on an in-service motor vehicle accident and prolonged sitting during IT work. The claim is remanded.,Service connection for back disorder is granted based on an in-service motor vehicle accident, prolonged sitting during IT work, and a very poor mattress during deployment. The claim is also remanded.,The Veteran's left forearm and right forearm disorders are service-connected but the claims are remanded due to lack of specific diagnoses or additional evidence needed.,Service connection for left forearm disorder is granted based on an in-service motor vehicle accident and prolonged sitting during IT work. The claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep related breathing disorder with CPAP, also diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea, is granted. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and GERD are remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand for another VA retroactive medical opinion to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability from May 2012 to July 2021. The matter is REMANDED.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral knee disability, chronic pancreatitis, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from September 6, 2016.

The Veteran's left knee strain, erectile dysfunction, and lumbosacral strain have been granted service connection.,A disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to the need for further proceedings, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection and the onset of his psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis), headache disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Southwest Asia. Effective dates will be determined based on the date of receipt of claims.

For the period prior to February 25, 2021, your cervical spine disorder is not severe enough for a higher rating.,From September 10, 2018 to February 24, 2021, you are entitled to a 20% rating for your lumbar degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and IVDS.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability, determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and headaches, and determine if his nosebleeds are related to service. The Veteran's claim for skin rash was withdrawn.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left eye swelling (scar from cyst) is remanded due to the need for an examination.,Service connection for residuals of a right chest cyst surgery is also remanded as there was no clarification on whether it occurred on the left or right chest during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.