Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The claim for service connection for lumbar strain has been reopened, and the Veteran's PTSD rating remains on appeal. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature of his back disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, knee, ankle, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and low back condition. The Board has dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's request.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings, lack of information regarding flare-ups, and need for additional medical records. The Veteran is also requested to provide private medical records related to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and the matter must be remanded once again due to the failure of VA to obtain VA examinations or medical opinions for the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unemployable prior to October 8, 2018. The case is being remanded for extra-schedular consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 40 percent, effective from October 2, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU from August 23, 2011 and SMC at the housebound rate from December 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal, elbow, hip, knee, shin, ankle, and foot conditions. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of her claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as whether there is ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lower back degenerative disc disease, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder degenerative arthritis is denied.,The claims for higher ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded, as further development is needed to determine the extent of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has vacated the November 2022 decision that granted a TDIU prior to January 27, 2014 due to incorrect application of regulations. The case is now remanded for further review and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back condition, diabetes, hypertension, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding the issue of an increased rating for depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Veteran is to be provided another VA examination to address his headaches, and a new evaluation of his lumbar spine disability. These matters will be returned for further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury (claimed as traumatic brain injury (TBI)), and a cervical spine condition, as secondary to service-connected left knee disability and/or lumbosacral strain have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and dysthymic disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 2011.