Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues with scheduling VA examinations in Iwakuni City, Japan. The Veteran was not properly notified of examination arrangements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to incomplete development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability due to new evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough and right knee pain are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, neck disability, and foot disability. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection is granted for back disability manifested by pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar-spine disorder, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right-knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and earlier effective date for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disorder, as he provided credible reports of continued pain since an injury in service. The VA examiner needs to address what these reports mean in terms of causing his current low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases of left hip arthritis and PTSD for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional steps, including obtaining missing service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are being reviewed again.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, including the service connection claim for right elbow disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis with degenerative joint disease is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of his initial claim. SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance is also granted.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for service-connected lumbar spine strain is granted prior to October 20, 2022. The claim for higher ratings and service connection are all denied.

The appeal of the recoupment of separation pay benefits from VA disability compensation is denied. The dental condition for treatment purposes issue is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative changes and thoracolumbar spine strain, sacral strain with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 20% and 40%, respectively. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations, requiring a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to October 2020.