Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating determinations due to new evidence being added to his file without a corresponding SSOC.

The Veteran's back brace used for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of L5-S1 and lumbar myositis caused wear or tear to his clothing in 2001. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for the back brace but denied one for Canadian crutches, as there is no evidence of their use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to benefits for various conditions.,Issues related to the rating of disabilities are also addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that her current condition is not shown to have been incurred in or related to active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 18, 2023 and denied for a higher rating thereafter. TDIU remains on appeal.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to January 8, 2014, finding that the evidence showed favorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability, service connection for bilateral sciatica and acid reflux, and service connection for ED due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of opinions on etiology.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a low back disability, a right knee disability, and sleep apnea as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and service connection was remanded due to insufficient evidence. The rating for the back disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, rotator cuff tendonitis of the right shoulder, painful surgical scars of the right lower extremity, residual scar of the right lower extremity, right ankle status post-surgery, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, and right inguinal hernia. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of SSA records related to the Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities. The Appellant must provide these records for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a sinus condition need further examination and review due to incomplete records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a scheduling error for a VA examination, and it is unclear if there are any service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to voluntary withdrawals.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, but denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is about the recoupment of his military severance pay and overpayment calculation. The AOJ needs to clarify how the $13,036.80 amount was calculated and whether any withholdings were made from his VA benefits toward this purpose prior February 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied because the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for a low back condition, claimed as lumbar disc disease, was also denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for Other Specific Trauma Disorder and Stressor Related Disorder, but granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left knee disability due to missing records, including Workers' Compensation records and service treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide these records or have them obtained by VA.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a higher rating for radiculopathy, RLE, as service connection for these conditions have been severed.