Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a respiratory disorder, to include asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Board will consider reopening his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar sprain is rated at 40 percent, effective November 12, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to a challenge by the Veteran regarding the competency of the October 2021 VA examiner. The AOJ is required to provide the requested educational and professional background information in compliance with Francway v. Wilkie.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports. The Board will request a supplemental medical opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the lack of relevant chiropractic records, and requests that the Veteran provide information on these records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial rating of 10% prior to February 5, 2016. An effective date of February 5, 2016, for a 20% rating is granted. From February 5, 2016, the claim for increased ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU prior to October 2, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her back disability prior to October 2, 2007.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection and TDIU related to low back condition, hypertension, breast cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome affecting both upper extremities, and entitlement to a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back disability. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for bilateral knee disability and back disability with associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and scar post-spinal surgery are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The back, left hip, and right hip disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's upper back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for hernia, low back condition, TBI, right ankle disability, and right wrist disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are granted service connection.,Left mastoid sinus disease is granted a separate rating, but not in excess of the current noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and he is now entitled to a grant of service connection. The Veteran also has been granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but not for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity due to potential service connection issues related to aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability prior to November 5, 2014, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter due to lack of compliance with remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and gastrointestinal disability (ulcers). The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to September 12, 2022 was also denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus as of September 12, 2022 was also denied.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a back disability or gastrointestinal disability (ulcers) related to service.