Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Board has decided that a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is warranted, but needs to obtain additional medical records before making this decision final.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding functional ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected cervical strain and thoracolumbar strain with lumbar lordosis are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to his thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, shingles with post-herpetic neuralgia, and bilateral knee disability. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Veteran's IBS and associated fecal incontinence are rated at 30 percent, effective June 1, 2008. A separate 30 percent rating is granted for anal fissures from the same date. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from June 1, 2008 to September 11, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for hypertension and left wrist disability. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) with face arthrosis, lumbar spine; residuals of vasectomy; right ankle disability; left ankle disability; and residuals of tailbone injury.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2011, but could be granted on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities.,The criteria for an effective date before March 1, 2011, for DEA benefits were also denied because the Veteran's combined rating remained at 50 percent prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete range of motion testing in his neck and back examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's increased ratings for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to April 4, 2022 remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 3, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted as of that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, back disability (claimed as aggravated by right knee), and acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of a medical nexus. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, as well as the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's disabilities include musculoskeletal issues, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, lung conditions, headaches, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, kidney conditions, eye conditions, peripheral neuropathies, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and back disorder due to inadequate etiological opinions in prior VA examinations. The Veteran's service records do not show any specific complaints or treatment for these conditions during service, but he contends that his current symptoms are related to incidents during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The Veteran is seeking service connection for right knee and back disorders, but the evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal of his appeal regarding an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to January 2, 2019, in excess of 20 percent prior to May 2, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Board found that his radiculopathy warranted a 40 percent initial rating for both lower extremities.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the service connection and rating for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle disability, right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus.