Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for headaches due to withdrawal. The issues of service connection for a right middle finger disorder, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis are REMANDED.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder was granted service connection. The Board also remanded several other issues for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, both diagnosed as degenerative joint and disc disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's assertions of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability, prostate disability, left arm disability (hand carpal tunnel), right arm disability (hand carpal tunnel), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for frostbite of the hands and feet and lumbar spine disorder. The claims are now pending again, with a new examination required for each issue.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the current severity of his left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder. The issues include seeking a higher rating for left knee disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a back disorder secondary to left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disorder and a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology upon which the Board may rely. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and the Veteran's failure to provide necessary information. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant medical records from correctional facilities and VA treatment centers.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's death is being reviewed, along with his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy due to issues with obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbosacral spine disability is dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and back disorder must be remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition claim requires additional development due to issues with the January 2021 VA examination and concerns about the competency of the examiner. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration. The effective date for TDIU remains at November 27, 2009.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine condition, bladder impairment as secondary to low back disability, bowel impairment as secondary to low back disability, and TDIU prior to November 17, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD but has remanded the issues of residuals of a broken nose, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, bilateral pes planus, and low back disability due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability and sinusitis are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's sinusitis.

The Veteran's lower back condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,A rating of 20 percent for left knee instability from April 18, 2017 to December 10, 2018 has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, ankle disabilities, and right shoulder disability. The appeals are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper and lower back conditions, as well as a left wrist condition, have been granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's upper and lower back conditions based on evidence showing they are related to his military service.