Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities prior to September 27, 2002 due to a need for further development and medical opinions.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the October 2023 remand directives and thus, the case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, specifically regarding the service-connected lumbosacral strain and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, given evidence of worsening symptoms and inconsistencies with previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on six different conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, lumbosacral strain and right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD evaluation. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied. The claims of reopening service connection for cervical spine disability and right ear hearing loss, as well as the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability (claimed as low back pain), right sciatic nerve pain, gastrointestinal disability (irritable bowel syndrome), migraine headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, obstructive sleep apnea, finger disability (right pinky finger dislocation), acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder), hair loss (alopecia), and skin rash are all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by frequent urination or bladder incontinence and night sweats is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, particularly regarding retrospective opinions on the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Further investigation into the Veteran's treatment records from 2005-2010 is needed, as well as a new VA examination for his lumbosacral strain and an addendum opinion regarding his left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The claim for GERD is being remanded as there may be a secondary relationship between the acid reflux and his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded because of in-service breathing difficulties and nasal obstructions.,The claims for right knee, left knee, and shin splints are being remanded due to potential secondary relationships with his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for a right hand disability is being remanded as there may be a relationship between the current condition and an in-service injury.,No effective date provided as these claims are still pending.,No rating assigned as these claims are still pending.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met as he did not meet the requirement of having a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and issues related to his homelessness.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and scheduling issues. The Veteran's low back disability claim is being reviewed again for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to service connection for a back disability.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, bilateral tinea pedis, or lumbar spine disability prior to March 03, 2017. Service connection was granted for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and headache disorder as secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder is related to service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection. The cervical spine disorder issue has been remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence.