Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The appeals for service connection for high cholesterol, heart valve disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and back disability are dismissed. The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a heart valve disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities and a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further examination and development.

The Board found that the original service connection for a lumbosacral strain was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to CUE, thus severing the award of service connection effective October 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for right ulnar neuropathy with numbness of the fingers has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a back disability has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis (right foot) has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for pityriasis versicolor and dermatitis has been reopened and is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, high cholesterol, and an effective date prior to December 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD with substance abuse disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and high cholesterol were not granted as they are not related to service or deemed disabilities. The effective date for service connection for PTSD with substance abuse disorder remains at December 17, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and the case is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for lumbar spine strain have been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, 20 percent, or 40 percent.

The Board has granted the claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to unclear functional loss and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA treatment for cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities caused by a stress test on July 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination or opinion regarding the Veteran's claims. The appeals are remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for a determination of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right medial epicondylitis, painful elbow motion, left elbow medial epicondylitis (painful elbow and forearm motions), left knee strain, and thoracolumbar strain are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left ankle disorder, bilateral shin splints, a left hip disorder, and an upper back disorder. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations to address her contentions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial disability ratings related to his low back disability, left eye retinopathy, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction (ED), left sciatic diabetic neuropathy, right sciatic diabetic neuropathy, and cellulitis. The claims were remanded for further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his in-service misconduct.,The Veteran's claim for TBI residuals is remanded as there was no determination of whether he had an in-service TBI, and tinnitus, headaches, and fatigue may be related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his reported in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to outstanding records from Craft Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, Michigan.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.