Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and a back disorder due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran served in Vietnam, including with the Combat Action Ribbon.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, effective March 11, 2014. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine condition and TDIU prior to January 1, 2014 are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The AOJ will consider these records in their readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the lumbar spine and tinnitus have been remanded due to procedural issues in the legacy system. The Board will issue an SOC if the Veteran does not withdraw his NOD or file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right knee strain due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection claims, particularly addressing whether the Veteran's disorders are secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral sciatica due to in-service events such as constant bending over, crawling on knees, and laying on back during 8 years of fixing vehicles. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine condition is denied. The current rating of 20% is found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing that forward flexion was not less than 30 degrees, and no other criteria for higher ratings were met.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bursitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with strain of the lumbar spine is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the assignment of a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected low back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for current examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 16, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for a low back condition is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with sciatica, finding that the Veteran's current condition had onset during service and is related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including shoulder disorders, spine disorders, peripheral neuropathies, and psychiatric disorders, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional VA opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as they are related to a service-connected left shoulder disability. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding whether these spinal conditions were aggravated by the service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with other issues.