Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or functional impairment affecting earning capacity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since April 25, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development and rating considerations.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are inadequate, as they did not adequately address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his in-service injury. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis C, high blood pressure, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and sleep problems have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to new evidence. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with concussion, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder strain, lumbar spondylosis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and right knee strain, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since November 26, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU effective as of that date.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 1, 2011. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and lumbar spine strain, as well as her claim for service connection for hypertension, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Her TDIU claim is also being remanded in conjunction with these other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for objective neurologic abnormality of bladder impairment associated with his back disability is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that he has such an issue.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative of lumbar intervertebral disc and arthropathy of lumbar facet joint was rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is denied as it is not shown to be related to service.,The Veteran's right hip condition is denied due to lack of evidence of any current diagnosis or in-service injury.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptoms from service to the present.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no indication of worsening beyond natural progression during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability, to include lumbosacral strain due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear rationale. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, nor systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. For the lumbar spine condition, a 50 percent rating is granted due to unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The bilateral hearing loss and foot condition claims were also granted with specific ratings. Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was established. However, TDIU prior to May 11, 2021, was denied.