Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and right foot disorder are denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spondylosis is rated at 20 percent prior to September 16, 2019. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and an opinion on the etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, which is considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and her right knee disability need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for a psychiatric disability are REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 9, 2020. The Board has now granted a TDIU rating on a schedular basis from that date, which triggers the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back disorder, concluding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The claims for service connection for the right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is dismissed. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disorders, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and muscle and joint pain are remanded.

The Veteran's entitlement to a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, prior to December 21, 2020, is granted. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disability, which was remanded by the Board, is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's hypertension and service connection claims, as well as his increased rating and TDIU claims. The issues will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The appellant's hypertension is denied as not related to service, while her low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy, right lower extremity; sciatic nerve is remanded due to the need for further development.,Further medical evidence is required to determine appropriate disability ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for thyroid condition and rating of lumbar strain disability.