Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus started during active service and continued to present. The Board has found that the criteria for service connection have been met, granting entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. For the back disability, the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine are found to have started during service and continue to present. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since December 19, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip, knee, shoulder, foot, and lower back conditions are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new VA treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran is requested to provide information and releases necessary to obtain these records.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the November 2023 remand directives and has ordered a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability and skin disorder.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the evidence does not show that he continuously prosecuted his claims within one year of the February 2010 rating decision.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, right hand/finger disorder, right elbow disorder, neck disorder, high blood pressure, and right shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back pain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 28, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU due to the Veteran opting into the modernized appeals process under the AMA.

A 30 percent rating for right knee instability, from June 2, 2011 to the present, is granted. The issues of increased ratings for right knee limitation of extension and service connection for a low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of confirmation from the Veteran regarding scheduling notices for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the Veteran's current mailing address is confirmed and he is scheduled for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left middle finger injury is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for Barrett's Esophagus associated with irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for degenerative arthritis, right (claimed as right shoulder condition), to the service-connected disability of left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine (claimed as back condition) is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for right hip condition (claimed as bilateral hip condition) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including headaches, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a prior rating determination. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of any current right carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to incomplete records, including those from community care facilities. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 14, 2016, but not earlier. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since at least October 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from October 5, 2021 was denied as the evidence did not show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.