Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine have been granted. The case has been remanded for additional development regarding his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, was aggravated during his Reserve service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development due to a significant change in his employment status and the need to reassess whether he has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial 40 percent evaluation, effective July 28, 2011.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity disability due to lack of medical nexus opinions. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, back disability, and any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and diabetes mellitus type II are inextricably intertwined, necessitating further examination to clarify the nature of his overlapping back symptoms and assess the etiology of his diabetes.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder was not granted. The appeal is denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for entitlement to service connection for low back and neck disorders were granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to the balance of evidence in favor of a current disability and an in-service injury. The Board finds reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for right leg, left leg, right hip, left hip, and back disabilities are denied as there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service or any link to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction (secondary) are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder (including allergies and asthma) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bladder disability, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbosacral spine due to incomplete development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to confirm diagnoses and determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities with radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, attributing these conditions to a motor vehicle accident in service.

The Veteran's back disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the period from August 14, 2017. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis with IVDS is now rated at 60 percent effective January 25, 2023. Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as of December 17, 2022.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for back and neck conditions due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to an inadequate VA examination and because of the inextricably intertwined nature with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for right arm, lumbar spine, cervical spine, feet, and ankle disabilities as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be more likely related to his 1984 separation from service or an underlying condition (gout) that began after service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, but granted SMC based on aid and attendance.