Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a lumbar spine strain are being remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examination and obtaining private medical records.

The Board has decided that a TDIU is granted, but the claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and back disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA medical examination and missing relevant medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, including its relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right shoulder, hypertension, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's OSA was also not granted as service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions due to a lack of evidence linking the current diagnoses to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder is granted, but the appeal is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, including a need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability are both remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding parachute jumps during service.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic acid reflux and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability was denied, and he was granted entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the veteran's service connection claims for callosities of both feet, residuals of overriding toes on his right and left feet, and a back disability. The reasons include insufficient medical opinions regarding in-service aggravation or increase in severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted with a 40 percent rating, effective as of the date of the decision. The claims for increased ratings for left hip strain were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service. The claims for low back disability and left knee disability were denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a respiratory disability. The claims are being returned to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease has been increased to 40 percent, effective August 6, 2010. The issue of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to February 14, 2018 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began in or was related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus, degenerative arthritis with instability of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis with instability of the right knee are all granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted service connection.,However, chronic fatigue syndrome, right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left ankle disorder remain pending for further review.