Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as direct service connection due to an in-service fall, and the Board found that his current symptoms are related to this incident.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including breathing disorder, back disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, obesity, vision disorder, intestinal disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board also notes that no presumptive service connection is being considered for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition due to service. Additional medical records are needed, including from NASA, private doctors, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision also remanded several issues, including those related to the left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and aggravation of existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to clarify whether the Veteran currently has a right knee, right hand, or lumbar spine disorder related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions to estimate the amount of range of motion lost due to pain in both weightbearing and non-weight bearing positions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability, as well as his claims for service connection for a left hip disability and lumbar spine disability secondary to his left knee disability. The remand is due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the impact of the Veteran's flare-ups on his range of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently being reviewed.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the left toe disorder, but remanded other service connection claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The case will be reviewed with further medical guidance and testing.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraines including migraine variants with atypical migraines has been denied. The disability is currently rated as 50 percent, but the Veteran seeks an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, alcohol use disorder, erectile dysfunction, gout, sleep disorders, low back disability, neck disability, peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, psychiatric disability, shoulder disabilities, pes planus with neuroma and plantar fasciitis, left foot disability post-surgery, and right knee meniscal tear.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension has been granted due to the PACT Act of 2022.,The lower back disability claim is being reconsidered as new STRs have been associated with the Veteran's file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a nexus between his current back condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to consider all additional evidence since the last decision in April 2019 and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's skin rash and low back disorder claims have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for a qualifying chronic disability manifested by unexplained rash and other dermatological signs and symptoms, including erythematous papules located on the lower abdomen and lower back with dry and scaly skin, due to undiagnosed illness is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA medical evidence to be considered and for an adequate VA examination of his low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and herniated disc at L4-5 and L5-S1, with intervertebral disc syndrome, and with impaired ejaculation and urinary hesitancy was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease (DDD/DJD) and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.