Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar strain was granted. The TDIU claim was dismissed, and the PTSD rating is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing condition at entry into service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as his current lumbar spine disorder is not linked to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral foot condition, and lower back condition due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to notify the Veteran that records from Dr. Robbie could not be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for range of motion testing, and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), and an increased rating for thoracic spine vertebral compression fractures. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.,Service connection could not be established as the evidence did not show a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, including consideration of secondary service connection due to his service-connected left leg disability. The appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disk disease is now rated at a 60% rating since December 10, 2016. He also has service connection for neck disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability.

Entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD with associated depression and anxiety is denied. The Veteran's symptoms are more closely approximated by a 50 percent disability rating.,Entitlement to TDIU is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues with the adequacy of previous examinations, need for additional records, and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of his urinary disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle and low back disabilities are being remanded for further examination and consideration. The AOJ will attempt to verify the period of active duty training in July 1992, obtain VA treatment records, and schedule a medical opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disability, specifically his reported incapacitating episodes of IVDS. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to provide updated information on his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for additional medical records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for a chronic multi-symptom disability, including pain and numbness affecting his upper and lower extremities and cervical and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of new VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back condition. The AOJ is required to obtain additional relevant VA treatment records, conduct a new opinion from an independent medical expert, and ensure all development actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's low back injury is alleged to have occurred in service while he was stationed near the DMZ in Korea. His acquired psychiatric disability may be related to his service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's neck disability, specifically addressing any possible additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups. The claim is being returned for further development.