Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that it is related to his military service and arthritis. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the initial denial in March 1999.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his service connection claim for low back disability was also denied. The decision does not specify an effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg soft tissue injury or residuals thereof, and therefore service connection for such is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as for further development regarding other issues. The Veteran will also receive a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing all pending claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and addressing the issue of service connection for bilateral sciatica as secondary to a low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee, left knee, and/or left foot disorders. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's low back disorder was aggravated by these service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and gout as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative changes and radiculopathy is granted a 20% rating prior to December 3, 2019. Since then, the claim for a higher rating remains denied. The lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes is also granted a 20% rating since December 3, 2019. Additionally, entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is reopened, but service connection remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A new VA examination is needed to reconcile findings with private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and low back disabilities, which have been rated at 10 percent for over five years.

The Veteran's spouse needs regular aid and assistance to perform daily activities due to chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that the evidence supports a need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine injury residuals, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, bronchitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard and Reserve periods of service. The claims will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability, but has remanded it due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for paresthesia in hands and feet, granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bunions, and granted service connection for rhinitis. Service connection for sinusitis was not established.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and osteoarthritis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and osteoarthritis are also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve his eyes, have not resulted in anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, but they have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 1, 2019.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with, and thus the claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further development.