Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings for a headache disorder and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if his low back disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have not been fully developed and requires additional development before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a disability rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the period on appeal, effective from when his forward flexion was limited to 15 degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities in determining whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to evaluate her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; back disability; right knee disability; left knee disability; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection and increased ratings, as well as earlier effective date claims for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded these issues back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TDIU due to insufficient consideration of evidence and potential changes in disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 9, 2017 for service connection of lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 11, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) was denied. A rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted effective July 15, 2014. The claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 28, 2016 and from that date are both denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection related to stressor-related disorder, low back pain with sciatica, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, lower extremity disabilities, upper extremity disabilities, stroke, and alopecia. The claims were not supported by evidence showing the conditions occurred during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds entitlement to a TDIU is not warranted.