Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, a sleep disorder (claimed as obstructive sleep apnea), and a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome).

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence not being reviewed by the AOJ, and a SSOC needs to be issued on the rating for back disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a low back disability due to incomplete record review and the need to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered, along with any new evidence obtained.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, has been granted. Service connection is also granted for the back disability. The case is remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding the bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has been working part-time since February 2022 and his limitations are manageable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, and bilateral lower extremity nerve disabilities have been dismissed as they were granted in a previous rating decision. The claims for service connection for brain tumor, epilepsy, asthma, and sleep apnea have all been denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, to include as secondary to lumbar strain should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, low back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and its relationship to his current diagnoses. The issues of increased rating for recurrent low back strain and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy are being returned to VA for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral eye condition, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to insufficient medical opinions. Additional development is needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's initial back disability rating is granted at a 40% level, effective from December 11, 2013.,An initial 20% rating for the right ankle disability is granted, effective June 24, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.,For the right wrist disability, the Board found that there is no ankylosis, but granted a 10% rating effective June 28, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability as there is no current diagnosis of such condition and no evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar spine, cervical spine, left elbow, and left ankle disabilities are found to be due to his honorable service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected COPD, which renders him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The decision is granted from May 29, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service and aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and right foot disabilities. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.