Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability and provide estimated range of motion measurements during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from July 29, 2013, to June 2, 2022.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and ratings for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with retrolisthesis of L3-L4 and L4-L5, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The remand is due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not develop in service and is not otherwise causally related to service. The claim was reopened but still denied on the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or have new examinations conducted.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for PTSD, lumbar strain, PFB, headaches, and right hand strain. The Veteran's representative withdrew their representation, and Disabled American Veterans was appointed as the new representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for a new medical opinion regarding service connection for low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, DDD, and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and scheduling issues for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, right hip, and back disabilities. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, low back disability, right and left heel spurs, and diabetes mellitus, type II.,However, the claims for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), service connection for cerebrovascular accident claimed as a stroke, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II; and service connection for a fractured pelvis are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder, as the evidence does not show that it is related to service.,Service connection for a right knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder are also denied as secondary to the left knee disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left femoral nerve radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran's left hip degenerative joint disease status/post total replacement has been granted a temporary total rating from December 3, 2013 to January 31, 2015, and a disability rating of 70 percent from February 1, 2015 to July 23, 2018. The Veteran's left hip degenerative joint disease status/post total replacement has been denied for ratings in excess of 70 percent since July 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and benefits related to her TBI and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and TBI, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself and require regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons include needing to address unresolved medical questions regarding alcohol consumption and its impact on the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability as secondary to his now service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are currently being remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of a back disability due to deficiencies in VA examinations. The Veteran's complaints of numbness are also being considered as they may raise a claim for cervical spine condition with left arm radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the highest rating available based on limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or impairment comparable to ankylosis.