Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and gout due to incomplete opinions provided by the examiner. The VA needs to provide a best estimate of the onset date, consider the Veteran's lay reports regarding injuries during service, and determine if the conditions are at least as likely as not incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty for training.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted.,Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his period of active service.,Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus and a neurological disability (claimed as 'nerves').

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him so helpless that he requires personal assistance from others, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for right foot ingrown toenail, obstructive sleep apnea, and low back condition due to lack of competent medical evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain, headaches associated with post-concussive syndrome (PCS), and psychiatric disorder associated with PCS are all rated based on their individual merits. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating from May 2, 2007 to January 7, 2020. The right and left upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities were also granted ratings of 40 percent for the right upper extremity and 30 percent for the left upper extremity from January 7, 2020 onwards.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for further medical development as the VA examination did not provide sufficient information regarding where pain begins during range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's claim for refractive error is denied as it is a congenital disorder not subject to service connection. Service connection for tuberculosis exposure is also denied due to lack of current disability. Other claims are pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service fall and his current condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been manifested by ankylosis, and the VA examiner found forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be 30 degrees or less. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, respiratory disability (COPD), hepatitis C, and balance issues due to VA's failure to substantially comply with its previous remand instructions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a back disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his left knee disability aggravated his pre-existing back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation is the maximum available.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied because it does not meet VA compensation criteria.,A TDIU award is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia remains remanded due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.,Claims for higher ratings for right rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are also remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and metatarsalgia remain remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, internal hemorrhoids, right colon adenoma, umbilical hernia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.,The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for a right colon adenoma is also remanded.,Service connection claims for an umbilical hernia secondary to the right colon adenoma and diabetes mellitus remain remanded.,Claims for service connection for heart disability, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.