Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent prior to June 7, 2022, and denied for a compensable rating since that date.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity disability (including knee strain) are remanded.

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability is reopened. The issues of rating higher than 10 percent for left and right lower extremity exertional compartment syndrome, as well as service connection for upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. A new VA examination is required to address the etiology of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to service connection and rating criteria due to the need for additional medical examinations or studies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 20, 2023, and since January 20, 2023, for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to October 6, 2021 as he was employed in a substantially gainful occupation with reported earnings above the poverty threshold level for a single person and a household of two people.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar strain, service connection for cervical spine disability, and various nerve disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current condition and provide opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition, specifically considering his lay statements and medical records from service.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 30, 2022 due to the addition of service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's work history. The Director of Compensation Services is asked to consider whether the back disability contributed to the Veteran's inability to work.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of whiplash injuries to the shoulders and granted a TDIU rating from September 9, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning increased disability ratings for lumbar strain and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to incomplete development and lack of examination. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, a sleep disorder (claimed as obstructive sleep apnea), and a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome).

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence not being reviewed by the AOJ, and a SSOC needs to be issued on the rating for back disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a low back disability due to incomplete record review and the need to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered, along with any new evidence obtained.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, has been granted. Service connection is also granted for the back disability. The case is remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding the bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has been working part-time since February 2022 and his limitations are manageable.