Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment or care, and the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 is remanded due to unclear causes of death.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination during flare-ups and lack of consideration for objective neurologic abnormalities.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lower back pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain due to the unavailability of service treatment records. The Veteran's STRs need to be obtained from all appropriate sources.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records review. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed, with particular focus on whether it is related to service or aggravated during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen their claims of service connection for right shoulder, neck, low back, and right foot disabilities. The new evidence received since the July 2014 decision indicates that these disabilities are related to an automobile accident during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected postoperative inguinal hernia. The VA examinations did not provide adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder but has remanded the claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder including GERD, as well as whether it is related to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disease, a skin disease (likely due to sun exposure), and scars. The reasons include insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a right thumb disability has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding increases in ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with herniated disc, T11-T12. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disability and determine if he experiences functional loss or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and his claimed arthritis of the right knee, hips, low back, and shoulders. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent prior to May 18, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased initial ratings for service-connected PTSD and lumbosacral strain due to new evidence indicating a worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination. The appellant is required to provide records from his in-patient mental health hospitalization and any physical therapy treatment, as well as complete forms for private providers.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis with bilateral radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding his low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on several cervical, lumbar, and hip conditions. The Board has dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral knee disability, finding that the current diagnoses were not related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his cervical spine disability, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and enucleation of the left eye with residual right eye strain due to new evidence received after a previous decision.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% for the entire appeal period, beginning August 31, 2016.,Prior to November 1, 2021, the Veteran was denied an initial rating in excess of 10% for his right lower extremity radiculopathy. Beginning November 1, 2021, he is granted a 20% disability rating for this condition.,Prior to November 1, 2021, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied an initial rating in excess of 10%. Beginning November 1, 2021, he is granted a 20% disability rating for this condition.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU beginning August 31, 2016.