Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, asthma, COPD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 2005. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU for the period from March 22, 2005 to April 22, 2019.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for his depressive disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and hypertension to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions, including left thumb fracture, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, right shoulder and knee conditions, ankle and foot conditions, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of uterine fibroids, hysterectomy as secondary to uterine fibroids, and MDD as secondary to hysterectomy. The lumbosacral strain issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his acquired psychiatric disorders, back condition, and right hip condition to his military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and right foot disability (plantar fasciitis) due to incomplete medical opinions based on the absence of documented treatment in service or thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. Service connection is also granted for a skin disability affecting the elbows and back of the neck.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar disability due to its remote nature from the last examination. The matter is therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent for thoracolumbar DJD and radiculopathy, respectively, are not sufficient.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disability, lung cancer, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, liver disability, peripheral neuropathy, allergic rhinitis, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, gastrointestinal disability, blood forming organ disorder, reticuloendothelial disability, agranulocytosis, and nasal disability. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the evidence does not show that any single disability renders her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims for service connection are not granted as there is no persuasive evidence that any current residuals of spleen removal, hip, knee, or lumbar spine disabilities were incurred during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral flatfeet, lumbar spine disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral flatfeet, right leg disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disorder, and left leg disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the progression of his back pain since injury in service as well as the service treatment records showing complaints, treatment, and assessment for back pain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased disability ratings. The Veteran's liver condition, high blood pressure, PTSD, stool and anus problems, obstructive sleep apnea, left leg/hip disorder, chest pain, cervical spine disorder, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim are all on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's low back, bilateral leg, left knee, and right knee disorders are being reviewed with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his low back, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities. The Board is seeking further evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.