Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, LLE and RLE, sciatic nerve due to incomplete evaluations in prior examinations. The Veteran is presumed to seek the maximum available benefit.

The April 2009 rating decision was reversed due to clear and unmistakable error, granting service connection for the Veteran's back disability effective from March 19, 1996. From June 2, 2014, forward, an initial disability rating of 40 percent is granted for the service-connected lumbar spondylosis with spondylolisthesis status post fusion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current lumbar spine disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and a neck disability due to the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded for further clarification regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claims for thoracolumbar spine strain with sciatica, right wrist condition, PTSD, fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is being remanded for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disorder and left hip disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for issues of service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral leg disability, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings assigned for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist. The Veteran's appeal of the service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is also being remanded due to the need for a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for back condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if his current neck disorder, left arm disorder, flatfeet, and shin splints are related to service. The issues of secondary service connection for the left arm disorder and new and material evidence for the shin splints have also been addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been granted.,Service connection is also established for tinnitus, headaches, and gastrointestinal disabilities due to qualifying chronic conditions under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's request for restoration of the ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and PTSD is granted. The Veteran also receives special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability. The increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain and bilateral plantar hyperkeratosis are also being addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disorders, but finds that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for lumbar spine disability or psychiatric disorder, nor did it meet criteria for a TDIU prior to May 18, 2022.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and low back disabilities are found to be related to service, while his other conditions remain denied.,The Board has determined that the evidence is against finding a current disability for blurred vision in the left eye, right hip disability, left hip disability, headaches, or any of the bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar muscular strain prior to September 12, 2023, was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The rating for PTSD since September 12, 2023, was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating.