Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been granted, but the appeal regarding service connection for a low back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, back disability (to include degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine), left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral pes planus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during his active duty or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted, and the claims to reopen service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, left hand disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to lack of recent examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a failure to comply with prior remand directives regarding obtaining a VA medical examination. The Veteran's back disorder is being examined again, and his unemployability claim remains inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee pain began during active service. Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and right hamstring tendinosis with hip strain have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective from September 1, 2013.,Service connection has also been established for the secondary disabilities of limited extension and limited flexion related to right hamstring tendinosis, both effective from September 1, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis.,The Veteran's current complaints of right ear hearing loss symptoms during service, coupled with the presence of a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, warrant presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and further development is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's low back disorder, which was previously denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar strain was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for left knee disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or is related to in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and right foot and heel disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for left plantar fasciitis with heel spur, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.