Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 14, 2017 was denied as he had substantial and gainful employment. The Board remanded the case due to a potential issue with service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck and back disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current low back disability to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected ankle and feet conditions also limit his employment.

The Board denied service connection for a left varicocele, lumbar spine disorder, head injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or aggravation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for additional disabilities caused by neurotoxic exposure is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The Board grants service connection for sleep apnea and denies service connection for insomnia (as separate from PTSD).,The Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and muscle spasms of the right thigh and low back are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases of right hip, right knee, and low back disabilities for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine spondylosis and unspecified depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 16, 2002. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 6, 2012.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for lumbosacral strain due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding its etiology and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is denied. The Board finds that the current condition of degenerative changes in the lumbar spine is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a surgical scar status post lumbar decompression L4-S1 is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for a lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, head laceration (also claimed as head trauma), and headaches. The reasons provided include the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,Service records do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during active duty. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to various incidents outside of his military service, such as motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder (back disorder) due to an inadequate examination and opinion. The Veteran's assertions are that her back condition is related to a car accident in 1994, but the VA examiner did not consider this information.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional review due to the receipt of new VA clinical documentation. The Veteran was not provided an opportunity to waive initial review, and thus the case must be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.,No effective dates were assigned as the issues do not involve service connection.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar arthralgia are being remanded for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of lumbar degenerative disc disease, vision disorder, and hand tremors due to additional VA medical records not yet addressed in a rating decision or SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his spinal fusion with lumbar spondylolisthesis and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a stomach disability is denied. The Veteran's lumbar strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted. A 10 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy from November 10, 2020.