Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection. The initial rating for MDD remains at 70%. The effective date for TDIU is set at May 4, 2016. Service connection for dry eye syndrome and low back disability are remanded. Service connection for right shoulder disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for low back disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability, and the low back disability was rated as 20 percent prior to March 3, 2020, but not higher.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are not adequate for determining whether the Veteran's low back condition is related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for a new examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia was denied. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 20 percent rating for his left shoulder disability, status post arthroscopic surgery, effective February 1, 2016, was upheld. His claims for higher ratings for the left shoulder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. His claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The Veteran's specific phobia, bilateral hearing loss, cholecystectomy residuals, cholecystectomy scars, and right knee scars all received initial compensable ratings. Finally, his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar and cervical spine due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for DJD of both his lumbar and cervical spines, which he attributes to in-service heavy labor and lifting. The VA has ordered a remand to provide further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for thoracolumbar spine strain and post-surgical right ankle strain with degenerative arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence linking his current disabilities to military service, including herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for TDIU as he had multiple service-connected disabilities rated at 90% combined.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, shin splints (left and right legs), right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The reasons provided include lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology, absence of a nexus to service, and no aggravation by service-connected inguinal hernia.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder rotator cuff reconstruction, recurrent enteritis, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination and consider her lay statements regarding her lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to lack of evidence showing a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability, including lumbar degenerative disc disease and myofascial pain syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10%, and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10%. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the period from August 25, 2010 to March 16, 2020.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was also denied an increased evaluation beyond 40 percent for the period beginning March 17, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with particular focus on whether they are related to his active duty service or any exposure during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and impairment of the left shoulder muscle group III have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.