Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and onychomycosis due to additional VA medical records and examinations being needed.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and restoration of a rating have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for surgical scar status post lumbar laminectomy and diskectomy prior to March 6, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate VA examination findings, outstanding private treatment records, and recently amended rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and the Veteran's assertion that he was not contacted for scheduling an examination.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral leg condition, low back condition, and bilateral ankle condition. The VA medical opinions do not consider all relevant evidence including the Veteran's contentions of continuous problems since service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition. The claim for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for a skin condition (presumed warts) is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is service-connected, as it was incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to inadequate examination and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability, finding that these conditions began during his active service.

The Veteran's request for a TDIU rating since December 21, 2015 is dismissed as her service-connected disabilities have resulted in a 100% combined disability rating. The TDIU claim for the period before December 21, 2015 is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and DDD with stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran on all claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 12, 2018, for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis (neck disability) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent from December 12, 2018 to September 27, 2022, for neck disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent beginning September 27, 2022, for neck disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper body neurological component disability was dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection in a July 2020 rating decision.,For his back disability, the Veteran is not entitled to increased ratings prior to January 23, 2020 and thereafter (40 percent).

The Veteran seeks a TDIU for the period from April 2, 1985 until December 29, 2000. The Board has remanded this case due to insufficient evidence and requests further medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative disc disease and strain was granted effective August 7, 2012. The Board found that an earlier effective date prior to this decision is not warranted.