Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a bilateral foot disorder, knee disorders, hip disorder, back disorder, shoulder disorder, tailbone disorder, and right ear hearing loss due to incomplete military records. The increased rating claim for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically his diagnosed conditions and their relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service and is not secondary to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's back disability is etiologically related to service and the claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in the June 2022 decision, which relied on a medical opinion that did not account for the Veteran's flare-ups. A new examination is needed to provide an estimate of additional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received by VA, and the AOJ should review this evidence in the first instance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, jaw, back and neck disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has identified new evidence that was not previously considered and has ordered the AOJ to review this evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded so that the AOJ can consider all of the evidence, including the newly added VA-generated documents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and left orbital fracture disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to assess his lumbar spine condition and for research into his exposure to herbicide agents. The diabetes mellitus claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and arthritis of bilateral hands and fingers, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not caused or aggravated by his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate previous opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's representative raised theories of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a separate rating for his TBI due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his back disorder and the nature and severity of his TBI.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right forearm disability, and disability of digits IV and V of the right hand are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10% prior to October 13, 2016. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition. A separate 20% rating was granted for moderate left knee instability effective February 6, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and various musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2011, to February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for the lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. Service connection is also granted for the cervical spine disability.