Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for another opinion regarding the etiology of a current lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased evaluations and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40% disabling, effective January 20, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted but only for the period from June 14, 2016 onwards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and pterygium conditions have not been rated as compensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee, right knee, low back, and lower extremity neurologic disabilities are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disability, including a lack of in-service medical records and an incomplete search for additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2016. The Board found that her symptoms associated with her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow substantial employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, even though his service-connected disabilities caused him some functional impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition. The decision on the respiratory disorder is due to lack of current disability, while the back condition requires additional medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an effective date earlier than April 8, 2016, for left ankle disability. The appeal was also dismissed for seeking evaluations in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 29, 2016, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status prior to December 29, 2016.,The Board also dismissed the Veteran's appeal seeking a compensable evaluation for his service-connected scar of the right forearm.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues include left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, lumbosacral spine condition, skin condition, GERD, and heart condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathies due to incomplete consideration of new evidence from a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The claims for service connection for back pain and hearing loss are remanded as additional information or medical examination may be needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and incorrect dates of ACDUTRA service. The appellant's back condition may have worsened during her military service, but a new medical opinion is needed based on the correct facts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, sinus, and back conditions due to a lack of VA examinations or etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding her claimed bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending again.