Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, low back, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise unrelated to service.,The Veteran's TMJ disorder was also denied as it is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected back disability was denied as the evidence did not show that she met the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish that any current psychiatric disability is related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a back disorder, finding no persuasive evidence linking any current back condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The lumbar spine disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her service-connected low back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case requires further development, including a new VA examination to assess whether she has an altered gait.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to evidence obtained after the previous remand. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment on an extra-schedular basis prior to November 5, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations for his musculoskeletal disabilities and hearing loss. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU prior to July 1, 2021 due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back arthritis and hypertension. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been granted effective March 30, 2011. The claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as it is secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine due to insufficient medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his back pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine condition and an extension of a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence from surgery. The claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of prior formal or informal claims filed before December 17, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and TDIU.

The Board denied increased ratings for right wrist scapholunate disassociation, spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine junction with strain and degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied an initial compensable rating for epididymitis/varicocele. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is found to have begun during active service, while his epididymitis/varicocele does not meet criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 7, 2022.