Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right foot Morton's neuroma and hallux rigidus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection claims related to exposure to Agent Orange, including cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, right leg amputation, bilateral neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, and back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, kidney conditions, headaches, dermatitis, musculoskeletal conditions of the left shoulder, lumbar spine, knees, and feet.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. He is currently receiving a combined rating of at least 80 percent due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the schedular requirement for TDIU. However, he failed to complete VA Forms 21-8940 (Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability), which prevented proper adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notification of a VA examination and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is still under consideration.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's back disability, finding that the evidence does not support an increase to more than 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee conditions, back issues, radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, hypothyroidism, and PSVT, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back condition and stomach condition with pain due to insufficient development in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between the conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, GERD, left leg shin splint, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and respiratory condition. The Veteran is presumed to have toxic exposure in service due to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiometric records. The issues of service connection for a skin condition, lower back condition, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are all pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 6, 2018, for the grants of service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis (left shoulder disability), a lumbar strain, and PTSD have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder disabilities, and lumbar strain have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically related to flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to July 3, 2007. On or after that date, the evaluation remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's low back disability will need further investigation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a lumbosacral strain and a right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee strain, limited flexion of the right knee, IVDS in the lumbar spine, and right shoulder strain. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication based on all relevant evidence received since the March 2021 Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss based on a theory other than presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and onychomycosis, as well as TDIU are remanded.