Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine degenerative disease, hypertension (based on a claim filed in June 2018), left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes, and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes.,Service connection is remanded for left hip impairment and right hip impairment due to service-connected musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. Service connection is also granted for his back disability. The claim for service connection of hemorrhoids was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion from a March 2022 VA examiner regarding the severity of the lumbar spine condition. The examiner used a standard that was higher than what is required for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that it is directly related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for left knee condition, right knee condition, lumbar myofascial strain, asthma, and status post left heel laceration residuals, including scar. Additional development is required to obtain private medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee arthritis, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the right ear. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, central sleep apnea, and DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS. The evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions began during or were aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's back disorder is rated at 50% effective from April 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating effective January 1, 2011. The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is granted a 40 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates, including bilateral hearing loss, collar bone disabilities, hip disabilities, shoulder impingement syndrome, knee conditions, ankle sprains, foot contusions, and elbow scars.

The Veteran's initial claim for major depressive disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 70% disability rating. The Board has also remanded his claims for foot disability (gout), low back disability, and bilateral hip disabilities.,Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions and their relationship to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right elbow disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability. ,However, the claims for a gastrointestinal disability, lung condition, and other disabilities are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc/joint disease and claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a request for an updated TDIU application.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder did not meet the criteria for an effective period under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 prior to July 13, 2018, or subsequent to August 31, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals were improperly placed on the AMA Hearing Docket and should be re-docketed under the Legacy system. The Veteran is advised to file a VA Form 9 if he wishes to continue his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities and TDIU has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, bilateral knee, and right foot disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and remanded the case for further examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.