Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2011, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right leg cyst claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 19, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis starting from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for TBI, service connection for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and service connection for headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is unrelated to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's total disability rating for coronary artery disease renders his TDIU claim moot, as the other service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The effective date of the 100% rating is March 14, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine condition, right shoulder condition, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The claim for glaucoma remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and examination. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, complete forms, and undergo examinations related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and left hip disability were denied as they are not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for neurological symptoms of the left lower extremity, including neuropathy and radiculopathy, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's October 2019 VA Form 10182 may be considered a valid and timely Notice of Disagreement, and thus the appeal for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's right hip disability is already service connected, so this issue remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for bilateral hip condition, lower back condition, and bilateral knee condition due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms are considered credible unless inconsistent with medical evidence or principles.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its current symptoms and limitations.

The Board granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a left knee, left thigh, lower back, and left ankle conditions due to new and material evidence. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition was dismissed as it is now moot.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left arm, back, right eye, and COPD disorders due to a bar on VA compensation benefits based on his Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge from the Coast Guard.

The Board has determined that the RO did not substantially comply with the September 2022 remand directives and thus, a remand for corrective actions is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations. The claims for lower back condition, left knee condition, acid reflux, hypertension, right ankle condition, right knee condition (secondary), and migraine headaches are being remanded.