Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board's March 2023 Remand directives. The matter remains on appeal as it pertains to a higher rating for his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not begin during active service and is unrelated to any in-service injury. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with its June 2019 remand instructions, specifically regarding obtaining Army Reserve service treatment records for the Veteran's low back disability. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and associate them with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous VA examination opinions and a need for a TERA-specific examination. The Veteran's low back disability is being considered on the basis of new evidence.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the highest rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no finding of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders have been readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is denied.,The claims of service connection for right hand and left hand disorders are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease was denied. The rating before December 1, 2022, is still at 10 percent, while the rating since December 1, 2022, is now at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cystic kidney disease is denied.,His rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent, as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability was denied in May 2019. New evidence received since then, including a VA examination and the Veteran's hearing testimony, has been deemed relevant to his claim. The case is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's left foot disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation, subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach condition, low back pain, and neck pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 50% disability rating. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot, hip, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left leg nerve disorders, as well as his skin cancer and respiratory disorder (asthma), are related to service. However, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms since service, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied effective dates prior to September 29, 2022 for service connection of residuals of a lumbar compression fracture, RLE radiculopathy, and a surgical scar of the low back.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for back condition, depression, PTSD, and left shin splints.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for lumbago of the lumbar region, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.