Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's upper back condition and its relationship to service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his dyslipidemia and other disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, low back, right knee, left knee, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The reasons include a need to obtain additional evidence from the Veteran and his treating physicians, as well as an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vocal cord disorder, upper digestive disorder, right shoulder disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and knee disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

Your appeal for service connection for a back disability was mistakenly docketed in the legacy system and is now being handled through a separate, properly docketed appeal stream within the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system. The legacy appeal is dismissed as it does not have jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, claiming as back pain, due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or event that caused his current condition.

The Veteran's hip replacement residuals and lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy were granted effective November 18, 2010. The right hip was rated at 50% from November 18, 2010 to December 6, 2015, and the left hip was rated at 50% beginning November 18, 2010. The lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy was also granted effective November 18, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, has been granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD and service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been remanded due to the need for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with bathing, toileting, dressing, managing medication, eating, preparing food, and shaving.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information from a VA examiner. The issue of TDIU prior to September 5, 2019 is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and scoliosis with degenerative arthritis and IVDS prior to January 18, 2020 were found not to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent due to the lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any of the available rates under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current diagnoses are not related to an in-service injury and thus denying her claim.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for a new examination to assess current severity and functional impact. His stomach and kidney conditions are also remanded for examinations and opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back and left shoulder disorders due to an administrative error where the same appeal was docketed twice under identical numbers.