Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was previously rated at 20 percent prior to November 8, 2022 and denied a higher rating. From that date, the condition is now rated at 40 percent.,From November 8, 2022 onwards, the Veteran's right knee instability has been granted a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition and nerve damage due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and lumbar spine DJD.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied across multiple conditions, including lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.,No specific rating assigned as all claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the Regional Office not having issued a Statement of the Case for all issues on appeal. The Board is unable to proceed without this information.

The Veteran's headaches are part of his service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome and cannot be separated as a separate disability.,Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to the Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome, but rather is a separate condition that requires further examination for etiology.,The Veteran's back condition may be related to his military service and cumulative parachute jumps, but needs further examination to determine its etiology.,Service connection for a sleep disorder cannot be established without evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's military service. The Veteran's conceded noise exposure is also relevant.,Bilateral hearing loss requires further examination due to the Veteran's conceded noise exposure in service.,The right eye condition may be related to the Veteran's military service, particularly his conceded toxic exposure from Gulf War service.,Service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia cannot be established without evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, nerve damage in the back, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica and nerve damage have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his military service. A VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of back injury, lumbar degenerative disc disease from November 6, 2006 to May 5, 2011 is granted. The right knee disability other than instability is rated at 20 percent from the same period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,For the entire rating period on appeal, a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability is granted. However, beginning May 29, 2014, a higher rating than 40 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in connection with the August 2019 remand directives are inadequate and requires further development. The claims for right fifth toe disability, left wrist disability, and back disability are being remanded to obtain new VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders, as secondary to service-connected left leg neuritis. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion regarding whether his current disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is due to her active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and diffuse degenerative disc disease with cervical spondylosis, claiming as upper back pain. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete documentation of his Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which may affect the determination of whether he qualifies for TDIU prior to September 7, 2021.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her arthritis. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion less than 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient documentation of back pain during service, specifically in May 1973. The Veteran's claim for low back disability is being reviewed again with a focus on this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, neck disability, back disability, carotid artery disease, heart disability (manifested by chest pain), and peripheral vascular disease due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The new opinions are required to address continuity of symptomatology and in-service complaints.