Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing specific evidence and failing to consider the combined impact of all service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU from January 20, 2013, to January 31, 2017. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of chronic low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have been denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied as it was dependent on the nature of underlying service-connected disabilities including the back, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left leg disability (to include as due to a low back disability), and hypertension (to include as secondary to hypotension). The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for low back disability and associated peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded several issues including accrued benefits, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to pending requests for substitution and other unresolved claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of bilateral hand surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right wrist condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus) rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability were improperly reduced, and the original ratings are restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination and retrospective medical opinion to address functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and lower back disorders, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including right and left upper extremity muscle weakness and peripheral neuropathy. The CUE claims have also been referred back to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spondylosis and lumbar spine levoscoliosis, as well as her TDIU claim due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow and left elbow disabilities, and back disability. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various orthopedic conditions due to outstanding private and VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for upper and lower extremity neuropathies, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders are being remanded to obtain additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy ratings have been restored to their effective dates, with the exception of a higher rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy which is not an issue.