Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and right hip strain with right hamstring tear. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions, as well as whether he can cross his legs without assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a back disability was denied, but the Board found that the criteria for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective April 25, 2017 were met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in his records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will provide a new examination to assess the severity of his low back disability, and an addendum opinion on whether he has a currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition and neck condition has been reopened. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the nature and etiology of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to obtain private treatment records. The Veteran is to be provided with a VA examination to assess his thoracolumbar spine strain with scoliosis, including right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a higher rating for lumbar spine strain and radiculopathy, as well as service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and a back condition, finding that the conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's testimony indicated his neck and back conditions were caused by compensating with his right hand due to left-hand injuries. However, VA examiners concluded these conditions are unrelated to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain and sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service connected. The claims for hypertension, chronic otitis externa (right ear), sinus condition, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee, upper back, and lower back disabilities. The claims are being returned due to inconsistencies in the service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as additional development of the claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's statements about injuries in service are considered true.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for back disability, compartment syndrome of the right lower extremity, and compartment syndrome of the left lower extremity. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was denied, as well as the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his lumbar spine and GERD disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim prior to June 22, 2012, are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's back disabilities (arthritis and degenerative disc disease) to service. The Veteran must provide additional medical records, including from his military retiree status.