Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot, lumbar, and migraine disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to a significant length of time since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim prior to March 29, 2016, are being remanded due to the need for new VA addendum opinions applying the but-for causal standard for secondary service connection.,The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder may be less severe if not for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for a back disability and right knee disability have been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability, as well as his TDIU claim due to incomplete development. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his obstructive sleep apnea, which he asserts was caused by his active service in Southwest Asia or his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. He also seeks a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of ovarian cancer, back disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 29, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from March 29, 2018 was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine condition and TDIU prior to February 10, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability warranting a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for VA examinations and additional records.

The Board has found that new examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the claims for increased disability ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The updated VA treatment records need to be added to the record.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously evaluated as low back strain. The Board granted a 40% evaluation for the period from February 1, 2016 to October 7, 2016 and denied increased evaluations thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine strain is denied. The current rating of 20% is maintained.

The Veteran's IVDS with spondylolisthesis and DDD is currently rated at 10 percent prior to July 13, 2022, and increased to 40 percent from that date. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was initially granted a 10 percent rating effective April 7, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues related to lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated again, with a focus on addressing potential ameliorating effects of medication.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee limitation of extension have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a right knee disability has also been dismissed.,Service connection for GERD is granted as the Veteran's current diagnosis aligns with her reported onset in service. Service connection for lower back disability is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer, which the Veteran contends was due to in-service gonorrhea. Service connection is denied for a back condition.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is service-connected as it is presumed to be related to his in-service treatment of gonorrhea. The back condition, however, does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral hip disorders are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disorder. The acquired psychiatric disorder is granted initial ratings of 50%, 70% and denied for greater than 70%.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as her right ankle disability. The evaluations for the lower extremity radiculopathies must be adjudicated for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, right wrist, back, and headaches conditions due to presumed exposure to burn pits. The claims are remanded for additional development including VA medical opinions on etiology.