Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's low back condition, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (right ankle condition), and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial rating of 20 percent for his right ankle condition with no higher.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection and rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's pancreatic disability remains at a 30 percent rating, with no increase in rating considered.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted as service connected. The right knee disability receives a 30% rating for limitation of flexion and a 40% rating for limitation of extension. The right ankle osteoarthritis, status post fracture, receives a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied in the December 2020 rating decision, and his appeal to this decision was dismissed due to failing to file a timely notice of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a right wrist condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to incidents during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right hip disorder and reopening of his back disorder claim have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with additional development, including obtaining his complete service medical and personnel records from his National Guard and Army Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted service connection. The Veteran's lower back condition remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, right shoulder, low back, right hip, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities due to service in Bosnia. The VA must obtain a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, ulcerative colitis, bilateral flatfoot, and back condition due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities have been granted initial ratings from October 26, 2006 to the present. The Veteran also received increased ratings for her radiculopathy of various nerves in both upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was denied. The Board also remanded several other claims related to her lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for his lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee disability, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and documents related to his SSA disability benefits application.

The Board has previously remanded the claim for a new records-based examination to review treatment records and address changes in the Veteran's back condition. The February 2023 examiner did not provide useful evidence as they failed to review subsequent treatment records and evaluate the disability for the interval subsequent to October 2015. The Board is therefore remanding the claim for a new records-based examination by an examiner other than those who previously failed to comply with the remand orders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of skin cancer excision scars, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple noncompensable disabilities are dismissed. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension, as well as his claims for arthritis of various joints.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, left forearm scar, cervical spine strain, and left ankle sprain due to incomplete opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset of his disabilities are not credible.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a pilonidal cyst and scars associated with it has been granted. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea secondary to that disorder, eczema, and low back disability have been remanded.