Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine/back problems and increased ratings for his bilateral feet and knees disabilities due to new evidence presented during a hearing in May 2022.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus type II have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all remaining issues in an Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, back, left hip, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and issues with credibility of the Veteran's complaints.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions and addendum opinions obtained in accordance with prior remand directives are inadequate, and thus the case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his lumbar spine disability and TDIU. Specifically, a new retrospective medical opinion is required to determine the severity of his condition prior to May 8, 2019.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and lower back conditions, as these issues are no longer relevant due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and sleep disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for uterine fibroids, sinusitis, neck disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, back disability, and bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis).

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and sciatic radiculopathy were denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain and left knee conditions have been denied. The rating for the back condition prior to May 26, 2023 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. From May 26, 2023 onward, the claim remains denied due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or worse. The left knee instability claims are also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 12, 2022. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee strains and TBI have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for DD of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the issue of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case will be returned to the Board after the requested development.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for gastritis and a spinal muscle disability of the lumbar region due to the Veteran's withdrawal of those appeals. The claims for fibromyalgia and neuritis of the vagus nerve are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis. The Board found no evidence of such disabilities during active service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple joints and feet is being remanded due to incomplete service history provided by the VA examiner.,Additional evidence will be sought, and a new opinion will be obtained regarding the relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to a fall off a truck during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent since April 23, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 19, 2018 for a 20 percent evaluation for his lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an increase in severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to September 19, 2018.