Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was reopened on the basis of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to this extent.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability prior to August 21, 2020 remains denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated with a separate 10 percent rating since December 15, 2009 due to slight instability. The appeal is denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to July 17, 2009 remains denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been rated with a disability rating in excess of 50 percent since May 20, 2023. The appeal is denied.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective prior to May 30, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hip radiculopathy, headaches, and a liver condition.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, neck disability, back condition, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle and foot disorders. However, the claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for right knee disability is also being remanded as there was insufficient evidence in the record regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, left eye disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right foot disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's disabilities are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disability and related radiculopathy due to a lack of retrospective medical opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to provide such opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left elbow, and left-hand disabilities. The case will be returned to review after completion of the requested actions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including verification of Dr. V.L.'s presence in the operating room and obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she has a high school diploma and completed 2 years of college. Her lumbar spine disability causes some work restrictions but does not prevent her from performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left elbow strain were denied as not related to service. The lumbosacral strain was also denied, but the claim for depression and anxiety disorders is being remanded.,Service connection for depression and anxiety disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for neck, back, right knee, and right foot disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis and right knee tendonitis are granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, neck, back, and bilateral hearing loss conditions. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and coronary artery disease (CAD).,There is no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that it did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, cervical fusion, and lumbar fusion due to incomplete records from his second period of service.