Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back condition and lung cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is considered a 'radiation-exposed veteran' based on his participation in Operation Hardtack, an atmospheric nuclear test series conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground in 1958.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The rating for his back condition, radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve are denied. The left knee lateral instability is granted a 10% rating effective May 20, 2019.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's upper back disability, specifically whether it is related to in-service recurrent episodes of upper back pain. The Veteran was provided with a new VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his thoracolumbar spine disability and for entitlement to TDIU due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran is rendered unemployable as the result of his service-connected disabilities prior to July 10, 2018. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities precluded him from performing sedentary work prior to July 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for spinal fusion of the thoracolumbar spine prior to July 20, 2016 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and obtaining SSA records. The Veteran's spine disability will be evaluated again.

The Veteran's lower back disability is being remanded for further development.,A 10% rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from February 21, 2019, is granted. The appeal regarding the initial compensable rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as his forward flexion has improved over time and he does not have limitation of motion to 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service, specifically including a fall that occurred after he stepped in a hole and twisted his ankle. The Veteran also contends that his low back pain is related to falls associated with his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and provide requested medical records. The issues of service connection for a back disorder, including lower extremity symptoms, and increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle pain in the back and legs have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, but an initial compensable rating for chronic bronchitis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of general joint pain, as no opinion was provided on this issue in the previous November 2020 VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to issues with proper notice and development, including verifying his current address and obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, sinus disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to unresolved issues related to in-service environmental exposure. The Veteran asserts his current conditions are linked to his military service, particularly his in-service environmental exposures.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as it did not manifest in service and is otherwise not related to his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to November 5, 2020, was found to have limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 80 degrees with a combined ROM of 220 degrees, without ankylosis or other disabling conditions. Since then, there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim remains pending as it was granted in a separate decision.