Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for aggravation of an acquired psychiatric disorder resulting from treatment performed at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center is granted.

The Veteran's right hand index finger disability is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating from December 1, 2015 to April 25, 2017 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted the highest available schedular rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied any higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected digestive conditions are denied any higher rating. The Veteran's left ankle disability is denied any higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected varicose vein disabilities have caused or aggravated his lumbar spine and hip disabilities.

The Board has found that the matter must be remanded again for substantial compliance with the previous remand. The Veteran's VA Mountain Home Health Care records from November 2003 to October 2017 are missing, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was granted a 20% rating effective April 25, 2016. The right knee osteoarthritis remains at a 30% rating from June 4, 2018 to June 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting dates of separation from active military service and unclear records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence were denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and joint conditions due to new evidence being added to his case file.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and a bilateral foot condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his employment and educational history. The Board will clarify these matters in order to assess the Veteran's ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is denied.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for OSA, a back disorder, and COPD as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including for cervical spine injury residuals, lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity varicose veins, bronchitis, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a right knee disability. The issues also include reopening of these claims based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right shoulder and ankle disabilities, and hypertension, were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower jaw disability was denied. The Board found that the in-service dental procedure did not result in bone loss due to trauma or osteomyelitis, and thus, service connection could not be established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and a back disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and Workman's Compensation records. Additional VA examinations are also required.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and headaches (claimed as head injury).,Service connection was also denied for chronic fatigue, benign prostate hyperplasia (claimed as residuals of prostate cancer), erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of service.,The Board remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and related conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 1, 2019. The Board has referred the issue of TDIU prior to this date for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence and an incomplete record, requiring further examination and review.