Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical records.

The appeals for service connection for the listed disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

PTSD and allergic rhinitis have been granted with specific ratings.,Migraines, eczema (claimed as skin condition), sleep apnea, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remain pending issues.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, hip, ankle, back, neck, and elbow disabilities. A 10 percent disability rating is also granted for headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding records and inadequate prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board has decided that the discontinuance of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 1, 2019 was proper. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and low back disability are being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 6, 2018. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities. The effective date issue is resolved with an October 31, 2016 effective date for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from February 13, 2013 to December 26, 2013. The Veteran's service-connected conditions left him unable to work as a contractor during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and readjudication due to incomplete VA assistance in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2010 examination, and a new retrospective opinion is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability from May 1, 2010 to February 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate, right and left knee disabilities for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, total knee replacements on both knees, gout in multiple joints, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and left hip osteoarthritis are all remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was received. The claim is now considered granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder and a lumbar spine disorder due to further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly from the Columbia VAMC and Orlando VAMC. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left hip conditions due to insufficient opinions regarding the intermediate step of obesity in establishing service connection.

The Veteran's deviated septum is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection for HTN is granted based on the PACT Act due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran has a skin condition (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses) that may be service-connected as it was diagnosed during his period of active duty.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for coccyx strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.