Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a left knee disability, and a back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain and hemorrhoids due to the need for updated examination reports.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was incurred in or caused by military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has vacated the November 2022 decision and remanded several issues for further development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) have been rated as 10%, 20%, and 40% disabling, respectively, from December 12, 2016 to January 21, 2020; January 22, 2020 to May 31, 2022; and June 1, 2022, respectively. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) has been rated as 20% disabling since January 22, 2020.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her back disability or radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities from June 1, 2022 onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to incomplete examination and treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the genitourinary disability issue during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from February 27, 2015 to November 26, 2018 due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, left hip, and right hip conditions due to insufficient evidence of a link between these disabilities and military service.

Service connection for a low back disability is granted.,An initial rating of 10 percent for a right scalp scar above the temple, manifested by disfigurement and pain, is granted prior to October 14, 2022. A separate rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition due to manifestations of pain is denied since October 14, 2022.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, residuals of head injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety), and seizure disorder. The effective dates have not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral foot cold injury have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not requiring a new VA examination, and it is now required to obtain one.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities. Service connection was denied for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar DDD disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as there are indications that it may have worsened since the last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims, and he is advised to attend these appointments. The pulmonary breathing disorder claim also requires further examination and testing.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision.