Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for adjudicative purposes, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain further evaluations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back spasm, idiopathic urticaria (skin hives), PTSD, and right lower extremity joint issues have been reopened.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The appellant contends that his current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure, heavy lifting, and an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, previously rated as diffuse arthralgias of low back pain, is not currently manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. As such, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran is granted a temporary total disability rating based on the need for convalescence following surgery associated with his thoracolumbar spine discogenic disease from October 1, 2018, to January 31, 2019.,SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from October 1, 2018, to January 31, 2019. However, further review of his need for aid and attendance and loss of use of extremities is required due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, including a fall from a truck in 2009. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is dismissed. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms reported by the Veteran. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence received since the March 2017 rating decision. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for scar, residual of right finger laceration is also remanded.

The Veteran's right elbow tenosynovitis is granted service connection. The issues of left hand disability and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn from appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at a 40 percent rating from March 16, 2010, to January 11, 2021.,TDIU was granted for the period April 1, 2019, to January 11, 2021.

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent, effective October 10, 2016.

The Veteran's right hip disability was granted service connection and a rating of 70% effective November 13, 2019. Service connection for low back degenerative arthritis was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder pre-existed service and was aggravated by service. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional private or VA treatment records, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or within one year after his military service, and there was no evidence linking them to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his back, left arm, left shoulder, and left elbow disabilities as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her adjustment disorder and various physical conditions, have impacted her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot condition and lumbar spine disease, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU benefits since February 25, 2013.