Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and a back condition have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability, or a link between any in-service injury and his present conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his shoulder, spine, elbow, knee, and tension headaches disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for increased ratings of the back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is required to provide two independent medical opinions supporting his diagnoses and their relationship to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of left foot neuropathy and right foot neuropathy. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU from May 12, 2015.,Service connection has been established for back impairment, lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of an acute lumbosacral strain and residuals of an acute cervical strain, finding that new and material evidence was submitted.,However, the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of acute atypical psychosis was denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board denied service connection for low back, respiratory, hypertension, and prostate disabilities as they were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives, as well as deficiencies in medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and surgical scars of the right knee. Additionally, the TDIU claim prior to August 16, 2018, is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining an adequate examination and reviewing all pertinent evidence submitted since the October 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities have a common etiology or are the result of a single accident, as this could potentially allow for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that led to his current condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent prior to February 23, 2023, and at 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and radiculopathy in both legs, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded all other issues due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for further development due to inadequate examination and potential missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, PTSD, and IBS, are at least as likely to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability due to additional development and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and migraines, but denied both claims as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from August 8, 2011, through May 4, 2014, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% evaluation from October 4, 2017 to January 30, 2018.,An effective date of October 4, 2017 for the increased evaluation of PTSD is granted.