Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since August 2, 2021. The rating was increased from 20 percent prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, and heart disorder due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence and expert medical opinions.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar ankylosing spondylitis is currently rated at 40 percent, but the VA examiner found no signs of unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran has forward flexion to only 30 degrees in non-weight bearing mode and 60 degrees in weight bearing mode (reduced to 50 degrees after three repetitions).,The Veteran's cervical spine ankylosing spondylitis is currently rated at 30 percent, with favorable ankylosis. The VA examiner found no signs of unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran has forward flexion of only 5 degrees in both weight bearing and non-weight bearing modes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the issue of TDIU is moot due to a full grant of benefits, and the Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right knee disability and service connection for lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and a new opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the low back and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration. The Veteran's lumbar lordosis claim is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, while her migraines rating remains on appeal as no Statement of the Case has been issued.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The VA has found that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.,The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the claims for increased ratings are denied. The left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent each since May 13, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service.

The appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating for TBI is dismissed. A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting back disability was aggravated during her service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to contradict this finding. Therefore, service connection for a back disability is granted.

Your appeal for service connection has been dismissed because you did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in the original May 2014 rating decision. The issues have now been moved to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and restrictive lung disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are presumptively related to his in-service exposure to burn pits. The low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure of a VA examination. The issues include back disability, hearing loss, mental health disabilities (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and allergy.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for a back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran was asked to provide authorization forms for private medical records from identified providers, and a new hearing is scheduled if needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral knee disability. Service connection is denied for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of three issues has been dismissed as the Veteran and her representative withdrew their request for a hearing.