Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU prior to November 22, 2013, was also denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had limited flexion of the thoracolumbar spine but no additional loss of ROM due to pain or fatigue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as there were not substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The case will be returned to VA for further development including obtaining relevant service treatment records and obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric, lumbar spine, and left knee conditions are pending.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including malaria and its residuals, chloracne, cataracts, knee disabilities, jaw glands, polyps, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diverticulitis, diabetes mellitus type II, fibromyalgia, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40% rating from December 13, 2021 to September 28, 2022. A higher rating for the entire appeal period is denied. The right knee disability and limitation of flexion are also denied.

The Board has determined that the complete service records have not been obtained and a remand is necessary to obtain them. Additionally, a VA examination with an opinion is needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, right foot, thoracic spine, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary disability rating due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the causes of his low back, right foot accessory bone, and hypertrophic bone medial navicular disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, facet disease, and radiculopathy. The case is remanded for further examination of the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's post-operative fracture, right great toe with degenerative changes is granted a 10% disability evaluation. The Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine are granted a 20% disability evaluation.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and back disabilities. The earlier effective date for TDIU is set at July 17, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 14, 2012, finding that he did not meet the schedular criteria and there was insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability evaluation from 40 to 20 percent for lumbar strain with IVDS was improper and has granted restoration of a 40 percent rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar strain with IVDS and right wrist sprain are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and missing accident reports. The appellant's claims for back condition and hearing loss are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to February 14, 2019 and a rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain beginning February 14, 2019 due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability.,The back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The right lower extremity non-traumatic compartment syndrome is remanded for further evaluation.,The left lower extremity non-traumatic compartment syndrome is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review due to the need to consider the effects of medication on his lumbar spine condition and to address the oversight in referring his TDIU claim to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with the effective date being January 14, 2021.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 12, 2021, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date onwards are both remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened, with the new evidence showing a relationship to service. The claim for back condition was denied.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but not for the back condition.