Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to October 28, 2011 due to inadequate reasons and bases in identifying the period on appeal and assigning effective dates. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the severity of the appellant's lumbar spine disability during the period on appeal from October 20, 1981, through October 28, 2011, including during flare-ups. The TDIU claim must be readjudicated after completing this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted, while the claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities were denied.

The Veteran's heart disorder is rated at 60 percent from August 24, 2020 to July 12, 2021. From July 12, 2021 to April 7, 2022, the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded due to an error in satisfying the PACT Act duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back disability and allergic diathesis, to include a sinus condition have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these claims by his authorized representative.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining claims have been REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remanded the case for an adequate medical examination to determine if the Veteran's chronic low back pain pre-existed service, whether it worsened during service, and if it is etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment on and prior to January 11, 2023. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Board is unable to make a decision on these matters without further evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DDD of L3-4 with DJD of the lumbar spine is granted.,An initial rating of 30 percent for residuals of vestibular neuritis is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder as there is no evidence of current disability attributable to service, and the Veteran was not shown to have any functional impairment due to back pain since separation from active duty in January 1969.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, COPD, and a disability of the eye. The issues have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding potential service connection due to toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back disability and bilateral radiculopathies as secondary to a back disability due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for neck and back disorders due to their potential secondary nature to service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected feet disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to deficiencies in previous opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three conditions (Hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine condition, and pancreatitis) has been dismissed due to his death. No eligible party has requested to continue the appeal as a substitute claimant.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The issues of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as hidradenitis suppurativa, are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.