Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and he has a current diagnosis of hypertension. The gastrointestinal condition (IBS and GERD) and psychiatric disability are not service connected. Right knee, left knee, right shoulder, low back, and left middle finger conditions remain on appeal.,Further evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, psychiatric disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings granted. The right knee patellofemoral syndrome is also rated at the lowest level.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, finding that the Veteran had in-service injuries and chronic symptoms of arthritis during service. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to a diagnosed condition (lumbar spine arthritis) being shown as such in service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining new VA opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and lower back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, bilateral knee and foot conditions, left ear hearing loss, an eye condition (dry eye syndrome), a skin condition (psoriasis), a thyroid condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left parapharyngeal space mass, a salivary gland disorder, and bilateral tenosynovitis of the wrists.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending due to remand orders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is required to provide an adequate opinion on these matters.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and secondary service connection for alcohol abuse disorder as secondary to PTSD is also granted.,The effective date of February 25, 2011 for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claims for bilateral knee disorders are reopened.,Increased ratings for right shoulder disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded. Increased rating for low back disability is also remanded.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, and neck disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remands.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA), as well as the TDIU claim, due to procedural errors in the previous decisions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted an initial increased rating of 40 percent effective December 3, 2019. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine remains rated at 20 percent prior to this date.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA medical opinion on the Veteran's characterization of service and a VA examination to evaluate his lumbar spine disability. The remaining claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The low back disability is being reviewed, along with the secondary radiculopathy claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development. The lumbar spine strain claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while left and right ankle degenerative arthritis claims do not warrant an increase in their current 10% ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current back disorders are not causally related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination. The claim will be decided based on the existing evidence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and lower extremity radiculopathy were rated based on their current manifestations, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a higher rating due to its more severe nature.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and examination. The Veteran's symptoms of pain are being evaluated, along with his service records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the January 2017 VA examination report regarding the Veteran's flare-ups. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lower back disability and right shoulder disability.