Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition, and additional development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, CFS, sleep apnea, stroke residuals, lumbar spine disability, rib fractures with left hemithorax pain, arm and hand muscle/joint pain, tremors of hands, weakness and coordination issues of legs, and a left knee disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The low back disorder, PTSD, enlarged prostate condition, and bladder condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for right elbow, lumbar spine, sinusitis, vertigo, and asthma disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,VA will obtain all updated VA treatment records and ensure that any Community Care program records are associated with the file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, back, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset will be considered.

The Veteran's initial and staged ratings for his back disability are denied. The appeal is remanded due to issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied as the evidence does not show an increase in severity within a year prior to his July 31, 2018 claim.,There is no legal basis to assign earlier effective dates for the Veteran's tinnitus or left lower extremity radiculopathy claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU/SMC based on her lumbar and cervical strain disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's back, left and right hip, and left and right knee conditions are granted service connection. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spasm, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right great toe hallux valgus due to additional development being required. The Veteran's conditions are considered more severe than current ratings suggest now.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bronchitis, neck disorder, and back disorder need further development due to missing records and clarification of periods of active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, effective from the date of receipt of his claim on January 11, 2018.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of prior communication indicating intent to file a claim before January 11, 2018.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection due to exposure to burn pits during service. The appeal for the initial rating of TBI with PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. Service connection for right knee and low back disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The application to reopen the claim is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a fractured jaw from January 17, 2018 remains denied as there are no dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods that warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for a flat foot disability was denied because the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and the presumption of aggravation does not apply. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those related to lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, skin disorder, sinusitis, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

An effective date of January 19, 2017, is granted for service connection for RLE radiculopathy.,A disability rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS with scoliosis is granted from February 1, 2021, through July 25, 2023.,From July 26, 2023, a higher than 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS with scoliosis is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, thoracolumbar spine sprain with degenerative changes, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for scoliosis and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to military service.