Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral ankles, chronic degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with bulging disc, and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees. The decision is based on evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and hip disabilities due to insufficient development regarding exposure to herbicide agents, as well as inadequate opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's current low back disability, which may include degenerative joint disease in addition to degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for cold weather injury residuals of the bilateral hands is denied.,Compensable initial ratings for right and left shin splints are denied.,Service connection for residuals of an injury to the tailbone, neck disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, insomnia, and vertigo is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and back disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Board found new and material evidence for reopening these claims, but further development is required as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is related to an in-service car accident and fracture. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The remaining claims have been denied or are being remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: back disorder, psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. Hypertension is currently under review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, characterized by IVDS with DDD and Sacroiliac Condition, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for GERD, effective from February 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a left shoulder disability, and a low back disability have been denied as the evidence does not support that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the severity of her condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain with scoliosis and his right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 21, 2015 to November 20, 2019 due to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left ankle disability or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy at any time during the pendency of the claim.,There is also no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for lumbar spine disability and neck disability. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% rating since September 5, 2017. Tinnitus is not rated higher than the current 10% due to lack of separate evaluations for each ear.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating effective April 1, 2014. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating effective August 16, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of her back disability. The issues of rating PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain, effective from the date of the decision.