Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his chronic thoracolumbar spine strain evaluation is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for left hip joint pain, right hip joint pain, and lower back pain due to further development being needed. The Veteran's hip conditions are presumed to be related to toxic exposure during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar DDD, right hip degenerative arthritis, and a right leg disability should be remanded due to errors in obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right thumb and hand conditions were denied initial compensable ratings.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as it has been granted in full.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for status post right hip replacement, lumbar spine DDD, and status post right knee total replacement. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left ear hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to prostate cancer and skin cancer).,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those assigned.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to request records from both the Air Force Service Branch and his Air Force Reserve unit for the back disability claim. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.,For the eosinophilic esophagitis, hypertension, and rhinitis claims, the Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if these disabilities are related to service or resulted from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent disabling. The claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and right knee disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that these conditions were incurred in line of duty during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of osteoarthrosis of the spine (claimed as back condition) is remanded due to a lack of sufficient evidence to decide the claim, including a need for an examination to determine if his military service resulted in his current back condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The issues of entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the February 2018 VA examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, and an addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the bilateral legs have been granted service connection, but an earlier effective date is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, but an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset during his military service and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with disc protrusions, status post microdiscectomy and hemilaminectomy is rated at 40 percent since April 18, 2022. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending as the issues of service connection for urinary disability and erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dry eye syndrome, low back injury, right shin injury, right ankle injury, and right foot injury due to outstanding private treatment records.