Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee pain, right knee pain, and low back pain. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for a TERA examination and medical opinion considering his toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative changes with osteophyte formation and left knee osteochondroma with degenerative arthritis prior to specific dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for arthritis of hips, knees, and hands, as well as cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a nervous condition are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right great toe disability. The issues of service connection for lower back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, asbestosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also being remanded for further development.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to service-connected back disability, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis and spondylosis are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to new evidence submitted after a prior final rating decision. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again as there may be a connection between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of lumbosacral strain and cervical spine loss of lordosis with degenerative disc disease C5-C6 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal in October 2023.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back conditions are related to his active service, including parachute jumps during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain (low back condition or pain).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left wrist pain and right wrist pain due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss and low back pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, neck, left arm, left finger, and back disorders were not incurred in or caused by service. The disorders were not aggravated by, proximately due to or the result of service-connected disabilities.