Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, but the appeal for an initial increased rating for PTSD and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,Service connection for the right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and back disability remains pending due to need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of the 40 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for a higher rating for cervical strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but she was granted TDIU effective July 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for updated medical records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and failure to address relevant lay reports regarding post-service continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and lumbar spine strain and spondylosis have been granted. The decision also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals from the February 2004 left eye retinal detachment surgery.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to have had its onset during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on whether she is entitled to service connection for her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded two service connection claims for additional development, but is moving forward with the decision on the increased rating claim and the issues of service connection for bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis) and right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injuries and his current condition. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's lumbar disc disease is more likely caused by age, obesity, and his occupational history as a mailman.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new medical examination and additional development, including obtaining treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with muscle spasm and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete examination results. The Veteran will need further medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to lack of contemporaneous medical records and insufficient documentation recording the Veteran's complaints or diagnoses during service.

The Board denied service connection for hip disorder and bilateral ankle disorder. The low back disorder claim is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed hip, ankle, or low back disorders.

The Veteran's appeal involves a rating for degenerative disc disease, chronic lumbosacral strain/pain syndrome and an initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The case is on remand due to additional evidence received since the August 2019 statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims of left foot fibroma, right foot fibroma (including postoperative residuals), right foot neuropathy secondary to removal of fibroma, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and left CTS are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further development before a final decision can be made on whether the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for low back strain, finding no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has found that additional development is required to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation and other factors. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in service.