Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 8, 2018 for service connection of lumbosacral strain is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was denied in November 2013 and reopened in August 2018 with the assignment of a 10% rating effective August 8, 2018. The Board has also remanded the issue of an initial rating for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has decided the case is not final because there are unresolved issues regarding whether the Veteran's back condition was caused by his service-connected right knee condition. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the August 2009 VA examination report, specifically failing to address the Veteran's wife and son's lay statements regarding his lumbar spine disability. The examiner is asked to provide a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion, as well as addressing the etiology of his diagnosed radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to January 29, 2018 and 40 percent thereafter. The claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with degenerative arthritis and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a lack of recent private medical records, specifically from Dr. S.S., which may contain relevant information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left hip disabilities. The claims will be reviewed with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.,Service connection for a low back condition and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted. Service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is also granted.,PTSD rating in excess of 70 percent remains remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development as specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his October 2018 notice of disagreement was not timely filed, thus the August 2017 rating decision denying service connection for a low back condition remains final.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of the record, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was granted. The issues of increased ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for arteriovenous malformation and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for arteriovenous malformation is denied due to lack of current diagnosis, while the lumbar spine disability issue requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the asthma claim, and denied service connection for anxiety disorder, right foot disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of in-service injury or diagnosis. Service connection was also denied for a back disability as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from June 14, 2018, received a separate rating.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to potential exposure to environmental toxins during service.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed neck and back conditions as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy, and a cervical spine condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied.,The Veteran's penile verrucae are currently rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The effective date of service connection for this condition was incorrectly determined to be July 10, 2018, but should have been June 6, 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had onset during service with continuity of symptoms following service.,For his lumbosacral strain, right leg iliotibial band friction syndrome, vertigo, and right ear hearing loss claims, the Board finds remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.