Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's representative did not receive a timely copy of the March 2020 Statement of the Case (SOC) concerning the earlier effective date claims for various conditions. The appeals are being remanded to issue a SOC on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for acne vulgaris has been withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for a back disability, but remanded the claims for increased ratings of callosities of the left and right feet.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent, granting an initial disability rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's lay statements of in-service back pain and continuous symptomatology since service are credible. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is dismissed. The remaining issues, including increased rating for right ankle disability and service connection for left and right knee disabilities, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, hypertension, aneurysm and residuals secondary to hypertension, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to issues with obtaining SSA records and addressing conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing whether the Veteran's low back disability constitutes functional ankylosis, which would be equivalent to a 50% rating.

The Veteran's right posterior and anterior thigh gunshot wound residuals have been rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy has also been rated as noncompensable prior to November 21, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and lack of a strong medical rationale in previous opinions. The appellant is asked to submit any additional evidence, and a new opinion from an appropriate clinician is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and denied service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to clarify the nature, severity, and location of his service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and rhabdomyolysis. The issues include seeking initial compensable ratings for HS prior to October 15, 2020, and in excess thereafter, as well as increased ratings for various forms of rhabdomyolysis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is required to provide an adequate medical opinion that addresses the relevant facts and medical science.

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

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50% effective September 23, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU from September 23, 2016 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.