Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is granted as service-connected, based on in-service onset.

The Veteran's lymphatic system disability (Castleman's disease) and skin disabilities have been remanded for further review due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in assessing the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, specifically regarding the extent of any functional impairment during flare-ups.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, and several other conditions. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities (BLEs) due to his service-connected back disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's low back disorder is not considered to be related to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of hearing loss within one year post-service discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to the service-connected disabilities of the back, kidney, and neurogenic bladder.,New evidence was submitted supporting the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left knee disability, low back disability, depression, anxiety, right ankle disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gallbladder condition, back condition, right eye condition, heart condition, and hypothyroidism, as secondary to his service-connected multiple myeloma. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 60 percent for his lumbar spine disability, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's PFB is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on systemic therapy use.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left foot pes planus are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed back condition, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional pertinent medical records and provide adequate opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including depression, ankle, hip, and knee issues. The VA treatment records are to be considered in the first instance.

The Veteran's low back disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 21, 2011, from April 21, 2011 until August 27, 2018, or since then. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including osteoarthritis, finding that it was incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding in-service events and symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent from September 26, 2013 to February 21, 2017.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to complete several actions related to the Veteran's claim for additional VA disability compensation benefits under the CRDP program, specifically for the period prior to March 1, 2010. The AOJ must obtain all relevant VA records and DFAS audit error worksheets, perform a paid and due audit, and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability due to additional development needed, including clarification on the distinction between ankylosis and a limitation of range of motion during flareups.