Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further development, including scheduling new examinations to address service connection claims for various foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability beginning April 1, 2013. The right knee degenerative joint disease claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or his service-connected ankle disabilities. The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations that could have provided such evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's refusal of examinations and incomplete addendum opinions. The VA needs to obtain an adequate nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar disability is related to service, including his in-service injury and post-service symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's preexisting scoliosis is considered, and any diagnosed back disabilities are being evaluated in relation to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, low back, respiratory (shortness of breath), and gastrointestinal disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with IVDS from October 2, 2007, as the Veteran's IVDS did not manifest unfavorable ankylosis or result in incapacitating episodes (requiring prescribed bedrest) having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during a period of 12 months.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to a full grant of benefits, and no case or controversy remains.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or within one year after active service.,There were no findings of current disabilities in the Veteran's STRs or subsequent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the need for additional examinations, updated treatment records, and clarification of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and lower back condition are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that there is no evidence of forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, abnormal gait due to guarding or muscle spasm, or favorable or unfavorable ankylosis. Therefore, a higher rating cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatica, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease and anterolisthesis of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the left knee, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the right knee, and umbilical hernia with residual scar due to additional evidence or functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral foot disorder due to outstanding VA medical records and further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent on and after January 11, 2021. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is not compensably rated.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his ability to perform occupational tasks due to these conditions. The TDIU case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, more information is needed regarding functional loss during flare-ups and the application of the revised criteria for evaluating knee instability under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's service-connected right femur and knee disabilities have been granted secondary service connection for a back disability. The claim for increased ratings has resulted in some grants, with the majority of issues remaining denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology and aggravation by service-connected conditions.