Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date determinations and rating decisions. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and headache disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,None of the medical opinions provided a causal link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected disabilities, including altered gait or body mechanics.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any time during the appeal period.,For his service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability, the Board has remanded these issues to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and additional development is needed, including obtaining in-service treatment records from Fort Jackson base hospital. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral foot conditions (excluding skin disability), and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied increased ratings. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted service connection. The Veteran's leukopenia and left shoulder surgical scar are denied compensable ratings. Service connection for aplastic anemia, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral hip conditions are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. PTSD and persistent depressive disorder, dysthymia are also remanded.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are granted as they are related to his active service.,The Veteran's kidney stones were not caused by his military service, but the Board finds that his urinary tract issues are secondary to his kidney stones.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a headache disorder due to the absence of current diagnosis. The claims for low back, chronic kidney condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left ankle, and right flank disorders due to incomplete examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach ulcers, low back disorder, mood disorder, TBI, and cognitive disorder due to TBI. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, right knee condition, left knee condition, and TDIU. The Veteran also needs VA examinations to address theories of entitlement related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, and a supplemental medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to new VA treatment records that have not yet been addressed in a rating decision or SSOC.

The Board has granted extensions of a temporary total disability rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for convalescence following back surgery until December 31, 2016. The benefit of the doubt does not apply as there is no evidence to support an extension beyond this date.

The petition to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim has been received, but remands for additional development as it relates to the etiology of the condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability, effective August 1, 2019. The TDIU and SMC claims are remanded.