Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective July 30, 2015. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with T-12 compression fracture are also granted a 40 percent rating, effective July 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence not having been submitted. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, sleep apnea (due to asbestos exposure and as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and non-service-connected lumbar spine condition), and shoulder pain are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a migraine headache disorder was granted in July 2022, rendering the appeal moot.,The Veteran's residuals of a broken jaw disability with TMJ were granted an increased rating to 10 percent prior to May 23, 2022. Since then, his condition has worsened and he is seeking a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but remanded the other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities, including fatigue, back, right shoulder, cold injury, thyroid, and kidney conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no persuasive medical evidence of current disability or causation.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as zero percent disabling, and a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to the presence of relevant SSA records.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the right shoulder disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's April 2019 VA Form 10182 constitutes a valid and timely legacy appeal for service connection for neck, back, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and updated VA treatment records, private examinations, lay statements, and articles being added to the claims file. The RO must consider this additional evidence in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is to be provided with new VA examinations and addendum opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include lumbosacral strain with IVDS and disc bulge, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a psychiatric condition (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back condition existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date of June 21, 2017 for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability is dismissed. The extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 1, 2018, based on a period of convalescence for service-connected back disability is denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The claims are being reviewed due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint/disc disease was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating. The claim for service connection of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted, but a remand is ordered due to an inadequate VA examination in assessing the Veteran's current disability status.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it was related to active duty service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.