Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for the determination regarding service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran needs to be afforded a VA examination to determine if his reports of pain while sitting, with prolonged standing, and/or pain that awakens him from sleep cause functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD prior to March 9, 2017 was granted. From March 9, 2017 onwards, the claim was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 60% rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's reports regarding the curvature of the Veteran's spine. The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for her mechanical low back pain with scoliosis.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, concluding that there is no clear and convincing evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing medical records and inaccurate examiner opinions. The issues of increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome, service connection for thoracolumbar spine condition, and entitlement to an initial rating of 30 percent for right ulnar neuropathy are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right foot disorder, claimed as plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and cephalgia, neck disorder, back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, left foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder, right leg disorder, and bilateral shin splints are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including increased ratings for various conditions and service connection for additional disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo further VA examinations to determine the current severity of his existing conditions and whether he is entitled to service connection for new disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent lumbar strain. However, the claim for arthritis of the spine was denied as there is no evidence that it manifested during or within one year after service and is not related to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of fracture of right great toe is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, secondary to his service-connected residuals of fracture of right great toe, is remanded due to inadequate previous VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left leg nerve damage is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar stenosis and right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent effective September 11, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted for these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbosacral strain (back disability) and dismissed the issue regarding the validity of a July 29, 2015 NOD with respect to bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, verifying his employment history, and scheduling medical examinations. The claims of service connection for low back and sacroiliac joint disabilities (claimed as a right hip disability) are also remanded to determine if the current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and missing treatment records. The Veteran's back condition is related to service, but a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia has also been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically his claimed injury in service. The examiner is instructed to consider all relevant factors and provide a new opinion on whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service.