Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for all listed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine (back) disability and left shoulder disability, finding that these conditions were caused by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's low back disorder, including IVDS and DDD, is being evaluated again for a proper rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still pending as it must be remanded for an etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 11, 2018 due to insufficient information about the Veteran's employment during this period. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional clarification and consideration of his heart disability claim. The Board also grants an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for lumbar spine surgical scar from March 1, 2016 to January 22, 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for a scalp scar is also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was previously rated at 20 percent prior to November 8, 2022 and denied a higher rating. From that date, the condition is now rated at 40 percent.,From November 8, 2022 onwards, the Veteran's right knee instability has been granted a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition and nerve damage due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and lumbar spine DJD.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied across multiple conditions, including lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.,No specific rating assigned as all claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the Regional Office not having issued a Statement of the Case for all issues on appeal. The Board is unable to proceed without this information.

The Veteran's headaches are part of his service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome and cannot be separated as a separate disability.,Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to the Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome, but rather is a separate condition that requires further examination for etiology.,The Veteran's back condition may be related to his military service and cumulative parachute jumps, but needs further examination to determine its etiology.,Service connection for a sleep disorder cannot be established without evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's military service. The Veteran's conceded noise exposure is also relevant.,Bilateral hearing loss requires further examination due to the Veteran's conceded noise exposure in service.,The right eye condition may be related to the Veteran's military service, particularly his conceded toxic exposure from Gulf War service.,Service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia cannot be established without evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, nerve damage in the back, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica and nerve damage have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his military service. A VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of back injury, lumbar degenerative disc disease from November 6, 2006 to May 5, 2011 is granted. The right knee disability other than instability is rated at 20 percent from the same period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,For the entire rating period on appeal, a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability is granted. However, beginning May 29, 2014, a higher rating than 40 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in connection with the August 2019 remand directives are inadequate and requires further development. The claims for right fifth toe disability, left wrist disability, and back disability are being remanded to obtain new VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders, as secondary to service-connected left leg neuritis. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion regarding whether his current disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is due to her active duty service.