Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Effective dates for PTSD, right shoulder (major) degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as the claim was not filed within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's TDIU prior to September 1, 2020 is dismissed due to mootness.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee torn ACL, back disability, and headaches due to potential etiological links to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to inadequate examination reports, particularly concerning range of motion testing. The Veteran's lumbar strain is being reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, including the reopening of multiple service connection claims. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected kidney cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issues of increased evaluation for neuropathy of the ulnar nerve and service connection for a current disability of the right forearm. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

For the period prior to June 17, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. For the period beginning June 17, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability most closely approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's separate right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy disabilities were rated at 20 percent each.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee bursitis, left knee bursitis, and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine is dismissed.,Two issues on appeal are remanded: entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 23, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent therefrom for obstructive sleep apnea; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to October 1, 2020.,The issue of an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain, right foot strain, and left thumb degenerative joint disease due to a lack of compliance with previous orders.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential service connection based on in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar, right shoulder, left shoulder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension disabilities due to lack of a VA medical examination in connection with these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for genitourinary cancer (bladder cancer, prostate tumor).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, a disability rating, and TDIU due to outstanding records and need for medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tension headaches, radiculopathy of the radial nerve, and degenerative disc disease with cervical spondylitic myelopathy have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and denied service connection for his high cholesterol, left shoulder disability, sinus disability, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a kidney issue.