Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional evidentiary development for the Veteran's increased rating claims and TDIU claim due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims are being remanded until such evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence or credible lay evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2022, and increased to 30 percent effective June 3, 2022.,For the lumbar spine disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 25, 2022 was denied. Effective May 25, 2022, a rating in excess of 40 percent is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his period of active service and is more likely due to a workplace injury in 2002. Service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection and an initial rating of 30% for ethmoid fracture residuals is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as peripheral neuropathy). Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches secondary to his cervical spine disability is granted. Other issues are remanded, and the effective date of TDIU is set prior to February 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a left little finger amputation due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claims have been granted in full.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further development to assess the severity and duration of flareups, as well as whether there is ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, right knee condition (claimed as right leg condition), and right foot condition. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability secondary to low back disability, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether current migraines are related to service, and thus grants service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives and new evidence related to the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to ongoing development of employment records. The low back condition service connection issue has already been resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as he is employed and has provided no evidence to support his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The claims for service connection for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability rating is remanded for further development, including a VA peripheral nerves examination and obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for frostbite on the bilateral feet, a back condition, and left knee replacement due to insufficient evidence in the record.