Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of evidence not previously considered. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is now before the AOJ.

The Board has found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability and left knee disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. Her degenerative arthritis lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent and her tinnitus is rated at 10 percent. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further development.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on whether the Veteran's lower back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his current hearing levels being at Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. For the neck and back disabilities, the Board determined there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file to decide the claims, necessitating further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine are rated based on limitation of motion. The current ratings do not meet criteria for higher ratings.,PTSD is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a recurrent lumbar spine disability due to exposure to Persian Gulf War environmental hazards including burn pits. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant service records and private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in excess of the assigned disability ratings for major depressive disorder, radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease. The Board dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI, headaches, tinnitus, a low back condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent. The higher ratings are denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted a separate compensable rating for the latter condition prior to December 9, 2019. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 21, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to March 21, 2017. The remand requires obtaining a new VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's functional ability during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back disability due to an inadequate February 2020 medical opinion. The Veteran's complaints of back pain during service are noted, but not addressed in the opinion.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent as of November 12, 2014. The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with some of the February and November 2023 Board remand requests pertaining to the period beginning November 12, 2014. Therefore, the matter is being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, right and/or left knee, right and/or left ankle, and right and/or left foot disabilities as arthritis, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of records from a private treatment provider. The Veteran's history and symptoms related to his claimed conditions are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran.