Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is directly related to his military service or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and a back disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease status post compression fracture L-2 with posterolateral fusion and laminectomies is dismissed due to the withdrawal by his representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination and development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his employment status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, mid to low back disability, and upper back and neck disability. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, status post fusion and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral hand numbness) as secondary to service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and evaluation, including an addendum opinion from the October 2020 examiner regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also pending a TDIU determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted service connection, and his stroke residuals are denied. His right knee instability and limitation of motion are both granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has decided that a new examination and updated treatment records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's back disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder and gastrointestinal disorder including GERD, as well as whether PTSD aggravated the gastrointestinal disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Veteran's pulmonary embolism (fainting spells) and systemic lupus (arthritis) are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine their relationship to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability and a back disability have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical/lumbar spine disability, to include as secondary to a left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, left hip, right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities, and headache conditions due to inadequate examinations and failure to address certain aspects of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Additional development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically concerning the presence of flare-ups. A new VA examination is required to address these issues and determine the current severity of the condition.