Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for right knee degeneration is denied.,Service connection for low back condition is denied.,The case of service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in her service treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide any outstanding private medical records and undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her right eye disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorder, low back disorder, sleep disorder, peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to her unemployability as a result of her service-connected disabilities, the case is being remanded to determine if she is entitled to an extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence. The back disability, left hip disability, and depression claim are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine strain has been withdrawn. Service connection for OSA is granted, and the Veteran receives a 70 percent rating for PTSD. TDIU is also granted.

Service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for hypertension, headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder has not been established.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left hip disorder, and fungal infection of the feet as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no current diagnosis of a fungal infection of the feet in the Veteran's medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the rating decisions for DDD of the lumbar spine, as well as the propriety of separate ratings for radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a back condition. The matter is now pending further development and review.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate nexus opinions provided by a VA examiner. The Veteran reported falling while carrying heavy gear during enemy attacks in Vietnam, which may be related to his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of right foot, left foot, lumbar spine, arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), respiratory disability (including asthma, fainting spells, and chronic cough), pulmonary embolism, and lupus are all being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and degenerative lumbar disc disease with herniated disc (lumbar spine disability). The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to unclear evidence regarding the appellant's capacity to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, specifically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has found that the claims for TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board directives.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The evidence did not show incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their impact on range of motion and neurological symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address deficiencies in the VA's efforts to obtain relevant records and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including hernias and spinal issues in the neck, back, and shoulders. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about how these conditions were caused by physical trauma sustained during military sexual assaults.