Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain relevant private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% prior to March 30, 2023, and at 40% thereafter. The Board denied a higher rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,A 40 percent rating for the low back disability from January 11, 2018 to November 2, 2022 was granted. However, a higher rating in excess of 40 percent since November 2, 2022 is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica in the left lower extremity has been granted. Additionally, his TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings higher than 10 percent each for right and left knee strain require additional medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a bladder disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bladder disability during or in close proximity to the appeal period.,The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The new evidence does not provide material information regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability beginning April 6, 2018. The effective date remains pending determination.

The Veteran's claim for medical expense reimbursement is granted as the VA facilities were not feasibly available, and he met all other criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete review under the modernized review system.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, but the appeal for an initial increased rating for PTSD and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,Service connection for the right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and back disability remains pending due to need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of the 40 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for a higher rating for cervical strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but she was granted TDIU effective July 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for updated medical records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and failure to address relevant lay reports regarding post-service continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and lumbar spine strain and spondylosis have been granted. The decision also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals from the February 2004 left eye retinal detachment surgery.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to have had its onset during service, and thus service connection is granted.