Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine injury residuals with degenerative disc disease was denied. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea and the TDIU claim were also addressed, but further development is required due to inadequate medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis.,Service connection is denied for gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's achalasia was not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for VA medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms and etiology.

The Veteran's back condition, specifically degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is remanded for further examination and consideration. Additionally, his claim for TDIU has been raised and is also in need of development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise causally related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and low back disabilities. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and knee conditions, depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2015. The Board denied the temporary total evaluation for the right shoulder disability and granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and separate compensable ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional information from examiners. The issues of right knee disorder, hernia, muscle fatigue, bladder and urinary symptoms associated with mechanical low back pain, and bowel symptoms associated with mechanical low back pain are being addressed.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection. The cervical spine disability remains at a 20% rating, but the lumbar spine disability receives a 40% rating beginning January 17, 2020. No other conditions receive initial ratings or SMC determinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection due to the nature of his military activities during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back, left knee, left wrist, and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Further development is needed.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 5, 1997 for the award of service connection for lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and left knee condition, due to a lack of recent VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases for not considering newly created VA evidence in the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for a 20 percent rating for service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and stenosis, prior to October 22, 2018, and for TDIU prior to March 29, 2021 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for onychomycosis, heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service and/or his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, psoriasis, a low back disability, a right knee disability, and a respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's right shoulder, left leg, and right leg conditions are being reviewed again with new VA medical opinions.