Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine syndrome, basal cell carcinoma of the right lower eyelid, ectropion, and dry eye syndrome are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will need additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine strain has been dismissed because he withdrew the claim through his representative.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating prior to March 19, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 7, 2022. The lumbar spine disability issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service connection claims and exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, left wrist disability, neck disability, and left shoulder disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 30, 2020. The case is remanded for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for another opinion regarding the etiology of a current lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased evaluations and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40% disabling, effective January 20, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted but only for the period from June 14, 2016 onwards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and pterygium conditions have not been rated as compensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee, right knee, low back, and lower extremity neurologic disabilities are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disability, including a lack of in-service medical records and an incomplete search for additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2016. The Board found that her symptoms associated with her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow substantial employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, even though his service-connected disabilities caused him some functional impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition. The decision on the respiratory disorder is due to lack of current disability, while the back condition requires additional medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an effective date earlier than April 8, 2016, for left ankle disability. The appeal was also dismissed for seeking evaluations in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 29, 2016, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status prior to December 29, 2016.,The Board also dismissed the Veteran's appeal seeking a compensable evaluation for his service-connected scar of the right forearm.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues include left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, lumbosacral spine condition, skin condition, GERD, and heart condition.