Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gum disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition. The claims for diabetes mellitus, eye disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, neck disability, back disability, and sleep apnea. An initial 10 percent rating for hypertension is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's right leg muscle atrophy disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected status post-surgical transplantation of ACL with chronic right knee strain with instability. The claims for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar-spine disorder, right-knee conditions, and left-knee total right-knee replacement due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on the degree of forward flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right hip conditions due to inadequate medical opinions provided during the previous remand. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's low back strain, left knee condition, bilateral pes planus, and left foot pes planus. The effective date for Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and back disability have resulted in a TDIU rating since April 1, 2016. His depression has also been rated at 50 percent effective November 8, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability and respiratory disability due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to locate missing documents from November 2006 onwards, rebuild the claims file if necessary, and provide notice of any inability to locate specific records.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain prior to May 3, 2017 and since May 3, 2017 up to December 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a neck/cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation. The claim for a back disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's back disability, which manifested with pain and limited motion, including forward flexion to less than 30 degrees or the functional equivalent of ankylosis, is now rated at 40 percent effective since March 11, 2012.

The Board has denied service connection for a right leg condition and remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's claims are now pending with VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine condition, and sleep apnea. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss without his hearing aids, assess the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine condition, and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine should be rated higher than 20 percent. However, due to inadequate examinations performed in 2016 and 2022, the case is being remanded for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include anxiety, depression, a low back disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.