Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and TDIU claims, including issues related to rating adjustments.

The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis (bilateral hands and knees), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with depression), and hypertension have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to muscle spasms or associated objective neurologic abnormalities. The claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.,Service connection is presumed based on exposure to burn pits.

The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain, lumbosacral strain (lumbar strain disability), bilateral wrist strains due to deficiencies in the adequacy of prior VA examinations and need for additional clarification regarding functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the condition and active service or any service-connected conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is not related to his service-connected left foot or left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating due to normal range of motion. The left knee disability was initially rated noncompensable but later assigned a 10 percent rating. Both conditions are currently remanded for further development.,A left inguinal hernia has been remanded for evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for a low back disorder, and service connection for a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that it is not related to his service-connected GERD or any in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his lumbosacral strain, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left and right knee strains, and lateral collateral ligament strain of the ankles are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and potential additional functional loss during flare-ups or repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and insufficient medical evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board in October 2018.

The Veteran's left knee instability, lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of at least 10 percent each since June 20, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's back condition, including private treatment records and SSA records. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding his thoracolumbar sprain. The issues of increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development to address employment history, the nature and etiology of service-connected disabilities, and other medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in August 2009, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran's request to reopen his low back strain claim was granted due to new Capri records that diagnosed him with low back pain and degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis).,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is denied as there is no direct or presumptive service connection, while his sleep apnea claim is also denied since the evidence does not support a link between his condition and service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to April 30, 2018, for the grant of service connection for various disabilities have been denied.,VA received an original formal claim on May 4, 2018, and granted service connection within one year after separation from active military service. The effective date set is the day following the Veteran's exit from active service.