Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is warranted. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical evidence and conduct a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

Service connection for GERD is granted.,The Veteran's right knee scar is not entitled to a compensable rating as there is no evidence of deep, unstable, or painful scars exceeding 144 square inches.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board found the reduction of the disability evaluation from 20 to 10 percent for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease improper. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional assessments of his back disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for various conditions and ratings, with some issues being denied in excess of the assigned rating and others having their ratings denied altogether.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted. The Board finds additional development necessary due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and right hip disability.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate prior VA examination and missing treatment records. The issues include rating increases for lumbar spine conditions, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for left elbow medial epicondylitis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been dismissed as they were withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disorder. However, the claim remains on remand as further medical examination is needed to determine if the current low back disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and exposure to herbicides. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of his psychiatric, neurological, and skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 10, 2014. The decision is based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, claimed as a vertebral fracture at T11 and T12, is due to his service-connected epilepsy. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained, effective December 10, 2021.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine, RLE and LLE radiculopathy have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The RO granted higher evaluations for some conditions but denied others.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent before August 1, 2017 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis remains at a 20 percent rating.,Both conditions are currently rated based on their direct service connection without any additional factors like exposure or presumptions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted based on evidence showing the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder began during active duty, while his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder began during his second period of active duty and granted service connection for this condition.