Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the appeals for service connection for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The appeal for service connection for dizziness is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and there were no episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, finding no medical nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbosacral strain and lumbar stenosis are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new medical examination and opinion to address functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are granted as service connected. The remaining issues of right shoulder, low back, neck, left knee, costochondritis, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because of insufficient reasons and bases in addressing referral of the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and causation. The Veteran's lay statements and testimony are considered credible, but further medical examination is needed to determine if his current back issues are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current back condition to his active duty service. The right and left knee conditions have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic thoracolumbar pain, segmental and somatic dysfunction of the lumbar and thoracic region, ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine, neuralgia sciatic nerve, and neuralgia of all three radicular groups.,The Board also remanded the issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for stress fracture right inferior pubic ramus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his periods of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which may be related to her service or other factors.

The Veteran's claims of earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence supporting an earlier effective date, and the current assigned ratings are considered appropriate based on the medical findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pharyngitis and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination or opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disability, rated as degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, was denied. The current rating is 40 percent disabling on and after November 18, 2019.

The Board has found that there have been insufficient opportunities for VA examinations and requires additional examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, including any bladder incontinence or left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and her claimed low back, bilateral hip, right knee, and seizure disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder and back disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing VA records, provide addendum opinions regarding aggravation of the shoulder disability by a spine condition, and consider private chiropractic records related to the Veteran's back.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss, are rated at least 70 percent combined. The Board has granted a schedular TDIU rating from August 20, 2013, but the issue of an extraschedular TDIU rating is being remanded due to outstanding SSA records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's IBS is denied as the record does not show continuity of symptoms since service or a nexus to service.,The Veteran's low back disorder is remanded due to inadequate opinion in the September 2018 VA examination.