Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hand osteoarthritis and left knee disorder are granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence is at least as likely as not that her back disorder had its onset during service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to her service-connected bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to a back injury incurred during active duty training in June 1983. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The claims for back and left foot disorders are remanded, as is the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for lumbar strain due to additional development being needed, including an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to November 15, 2022, and a rating greater than 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 10 percent rating prior to August 5, 2020, but was denied any higher ratings thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy also received a 10 percent rating prior to August 5, 2020, and was denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence received since the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as associated radiculopathy conditions of the upper extremities, are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting their onset in service. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and right foot disorder are denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spondylosis is rated at 20 percent prior to September 16, 2019. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and an opinion on the etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, which is considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and her right knee disability need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for a psychiatric disability are REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 9, 2020. The Board has now granted a TDIU rating on a schedular basis from that date, which triggers the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back disorder, concluding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The claims for service connection for the right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is dismissed. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disorders, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and muscle and joint pain are remanded.