Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the need to determine the exact nature of the Veteran's active service, including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also requested to provide his complete SSA record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety with depression has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral leg orthopedic disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the neck, sinus disorder, right eye disorder (glaucoma and cataract), erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including high blood pressure, excessive sweating, sleep apnea, a low back disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and an unspecified respiratory condition. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for low back condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service or relation to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain relevant records from SSA and VA, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right index finger synovitis, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues regarding the propriety of reducing his left and right knee conditions from 10 percent to 0 percent effective January 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder as secondary to a left knee disorder due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right ankle skin condition, and knee conditions. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete employment history and a need for an examination to assess his service-connected back condition and radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for impairment resulting from a right knee ligament tear.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, increased ratings for major depressive disorder/dysthymia and TBI, post traumatic headaches, and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine. The VA examinations were canceled due to the Veteran being incarcerated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right hip, and left hip conditions as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Board also denied the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted a 50% rating, effective February 8, 2016. The appeals for increased initial ratings for left shoulder and low back conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, neck, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions addressing the severity of these conditions without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 30, 2013 due to insufficient evidence in some medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with new information provided.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left shoulder, elbow, thigh/groin, knee, and ankle disabilities due to lack of current disability. The back and pulmonary disorder claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The case will be reviewed for possible service connection based on continuity of symptomatology.