Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected herniated disc disease, L4-L5, with adjacent level disease at L3-L4 status post laminectomy and fusion L3-L5, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities are all remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, moderate, with generalized anxiety disorder is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded due to inadequate reasoning and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding increase in severity and continuity.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-hydrocelectomy hydrocele, lumbar spine disabilities from May 29, 2018 and January 29, 2020 are remanded due to inadequate reasoning and failure to consider evidence of worsening since the last examination.,The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent from June 16, 2017, and denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for pseudofolliculitis barbae, right pelvic bone disorder, and neck disorder have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disorder has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the August 2014 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service, specifically his rappelling injury in 1990.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient addressing of the June 2011 VA examination's deficiencies, specifically regarding range of motion estimates for flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board has also remanded the cases for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disabilities, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, are service-connected due to continuous symptoms since active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to November 22, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter. The cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension have been denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sciatica, and respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, is not related to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back condition and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records from SSA and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to August 19, 2017 was denied as he had been employed full-time and able to secure a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a back condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent from February 29, 2012. The RO denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, or based on a single service-connected disability.