Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show he was completely unemployable.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the last decision and remanded for consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection, rating increases, effective dates, and total disability ratings are being returned to the AOJ for review.

The Board granted a separate rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy as of June 3, 2019. The effective date was set at September 25, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and PTSD, lumbar strain, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for refractive error has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his condition, particularly during flare-ups and with repeated use over time. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric condition, headaches, low back condition, and neck condition due to insufficient evidence in their favor. The Veteran is requested to undergo further examinations and provide additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for groin and back conditions due to Gulf War service. The remand requires that new medical opinions be obtained from a different VA examiner, addressing the Veteran's assertions of continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. Additionally, his additional service-connected disabilities meet the requirements for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, moderate recurrent major depression, insomnia, and psychotic disorder NOS is remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of verification of stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various knee, spine, hip, and foot disabilities. The AOJ will be asked to verify the Veteran's stressors related to classified operations and obtain addendum opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to incoordination, excess motion, weakened motion, painful motion, fatigability, or on flare up of the service-connected lumbar strain. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back degenerative disc disease (DDD) as there was no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for a back condition from July 7, 2018. The Veteran's disability is considered direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for PTSD, mechanical low back pain, arthritis, and left hand injury. However, further development is needed as new VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after active service, and the opinion from a VA examiner found it less likely related to service. The claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and eye disorder (secondary to hypertension) are remanded as new medical opinions are needed.,The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after active service, and the opinion from a VA examiner found it less likely related to service. The claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and eye disorder (secondary to hypertension) are remanded as new medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for hepatitis C, as the provided VA examination opinion is inadequate. Service connection for low back disability and psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as any back condition) has been granted.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for mild lumbar spine degenerative changes, mild thoracic spine degenerative changes, and L5-S1 and L4-S5 disc herniation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The issues include service connection for neurological, genitourinary, and skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder with degenerative disc disease is related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back condition due to new evidence being submitted.