Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left orbital fracture is denied as there is no evidence of visual dysfunction resulting from the injury.,For the period from September 7, 2012 to June 23, 2023, the Veteran's lumbar spine condition does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent. After this date, it does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's July 2014 VA treatment records indicated a worsening of his noncompensable service-connected migraine headaches, raising an informal claim for increased rating.,VA treatment records prior to March 2015 do not indicate any worsening of the Veteran's left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of lumbar spine and left knee disabilities for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected ankle arthritis. His tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service, and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other issues. The remaining claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and issues are intertwined with other rating claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and tingling in his left foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing that any of these conditions were aggravated by his military service or related to his service-connected left toe disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of DDD with IVDS was granted, along with separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date is set at September 5, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues due to insufficient evidence and will require further examination.,Service connection was not granted for a bilateral eye condition, headache condition, sinus condition, low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, colon condition, GERD, heart condition, hypertension, and OSA.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD has not been productive of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, so his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The matter is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back condition and migraine headaches, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for new examinations considering the Veteran's limited mobility and recent hospitalization.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were found to not meet the criteria for increased ratings, with the most severe forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being limited to 40 degrees and that of the cervical spine limited to 20 degrees.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, skin condition, low back disability, and left hip disability due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Board will consider all evidence received since the May 2020 statement of the case.

Service connection for PTSD and a back disability is granted, while service connection for right wrist strain, impetigo, and headaches is denied.,An initial 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected mental disorder (PTSD) is granted from September 30, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since December 22, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.