Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development. The issues include lumbar spine, right shoulder, and peripheral vestibular disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to issues with the VA examination process.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his back condition remains pending before the Board. The case is remanded due to unclear functional limitations reported in May 2021 opinion and need for clarification regarding the period of appeal.

The Board has found that further development is required due to inadequate medical opinions and remands prior examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the grant of maximum schedular rating for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's skin disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, hip, and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case (SOC) must be issued because the Veteran initiated his appeal on an incorrect form. The issues will now be remanded for issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar muscle strain and PTSD with major depressive disorder and amphetamine and alcohol use disorders are being remanded due to incomplete examinations and the need for clarification on the nature and severity of his diagnosed intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding its relationship to his military service. The case is sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for additional development. The appellant contends his back disability was incurred during basic training, but there are no STRs or MPRs available.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing specific evidence and failing to consider the combined impact of all service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU from January 20, 2013, to January 31, 2017. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of chronic low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have been denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied as it was dependent on the nature of underlying service-connected disabilities including the back, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left leg disability (to include as due to a low back disability), and hypertension (to include as secondary to hypotension). The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for low back disability and associated peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded several issues including accrued benefits, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to pending requests for substitution and other unresolved claims.