Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease and associated left upper extremity radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity radiculopathy has also been rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his hip and back conditions, as well as the increased rating for his left ankle disability, have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The claims for tinnitus, low back condition, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess his cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathies.

The Veteran's GERD and back disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's headaches and joint pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, remain in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 16, 2014. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that adequately addresses the ameliorative effects of medication on his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and authorization to obtain SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims for epistaxis, frostbite of the hands and feet, lumbar spine disability, and eye disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,No compensable rating was granted for hearing loss prior to September 3, 2020, from September 3, 2020, to May 20, 2021, and thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The claims of increased ratings for the low back disability and upper extremity cervicalgia are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to concerns about the competency of the medical examiners who provided opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous VA examinations are required to provide a current picture of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities at issue on appeal, and remands for these examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it has been raised by the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and lower back conditions due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide a detailed history of his military duties, symptoms, and treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities is REMANDED.,PTSD ratings are also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion or scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disorders. The claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for headaches and joint pain/rheumatoid arthritis are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and left leg radiculopathy, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for new opinions. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's right knee and lumbar disc herniation and IVDS disabilities are granted. The left knee disability is remanded for a new examination, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various knee conditions and a lumbar spine disorder due to his request to withdraw these claims prior to the scheduled hearing.