Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating and effective date issues related to PTSD and DJD, L5 with thoracolumbar scoliosis as well as service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathies of the LLE and RLE are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung nodule, bilateral hearing loss, left arm tremor as a residual of left hand burn, right eye nerve damage, and back disorder (spinal cord degeneration) have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current medical evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine pain with degenerative disc disease and remanded other issues. Additional development is required to address all claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as bilateral foot plantar fasciitis, are not service-connected.,The remaining issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, vertigo, and left upper extremity dysesthesia remain pending.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and the need for consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. The low back and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for a headache disorder as aggravated by service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache condition during or related to military service.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability was granted, but the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating beyond 40 percent from April 12, 2012, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have functional impairment equivalent to ankylosis of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he is not unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records, including sleep study results, being unavailable. The claims are also intertwined with a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance were also denied due to lack of evidence showing significant disabilities requiring such assistance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes cavus, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right leg radiculopathy due to inextricable interdependence with the claim of service connection for pes cavus.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability has caused and/or aggravated his radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities. Service connection for these conditions will be granted if found to be warranted.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2019 remand directives and thus, another remand is necessary to identify all low back disabilities present during the appeal period and obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that it did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and is unrelated to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, polysubstance use disorder, neck and back disabilities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck, low back, and left shoulder conditions. The right ankle condition is denied as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis of the spine requires further development due to inadequate examination, lack of consideration of lay evidence, and need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as back disability due to secondary service connection. The Veteran needs a new examination with an examiner other than those who previously examined him.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability. The decision on the hearing loss claim remains denied.