Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a VA examination report and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied a higher rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disk disease and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is now being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, psychiatric disability with sleep impairment (other than PTSD), left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but denied his claims for a right hip condition and left SI joint (hip) disability. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for an earlier effective date for left knee disability. The claims for service connection and initial rating for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a neurological examination to assess any lower extremity radiculopathy.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disorder is allowed. The appeal is granted to that extent only.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent, each, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his low back and lower extremities in February 2013, over six years ago. In the July 2019 appellant's brief, the Veteran’s representative stated that the Veteran’s condition has increased in severity. Therefore, a new VA examination is required so that the current nature and severity of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities at issue may be determined.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The claims are now remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for mechanical lower back pain and service connection for a bladder condition are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but his claim to reopen the previously denied claims of gastroenteritis and bilateral hearing loss disability was granted. The application for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 23, 2011, and for compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and rating of various conditions due to outstanding medical records and need for updated examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 1, 2011 for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to incomplete service personnel records and insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient information regarding his income and net worth for pension benefits. The Board requests the Veteran to provide necessary forms and information to claim his granddaughter as a dependent.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tendonitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,All other claims have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or a VA examination.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a low back disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right fourth and fifth finger disability. The Veteran needs to undergo additional examinations to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and occupational impairment caused by these disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which includes the use of a CPAP machine. The appeal for COPD and thoracic spine disability is dismissed as service connection has already been established. Lumbar strain and radiculopathy are denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis. Blepharitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.