Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability was initially denied in a February 2015 rating decision. The Board has reopened the claim due to new evidence received since then, but the issues related to his knees and back need further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition. A new VA examination is needed to address the January 2020 VA examiner's statements and consider the Veteran's lay statements and private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and tension headaches are all being remanded for further evaluation due to changes in their severity since the last VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the low back disability is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected left thigh disability. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to an incomplete medical opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether minor in-service activities/injuries led to degenerative changes at the spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, low back condition, and right shoulder condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The appeal is remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her back disability due to insufficient development. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence in several areas, including psychiatric disorders, polyneuropathy, back disability, and fibromyalgia. The hearing request is also noted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain, extensor tendon laceration (left foot), and surgical scar of the left foot were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was currently assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence indicates other employment opportunities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back condition rating is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of information on incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease, thoracic spine, thoracic strain, and degenerative disc disease is granted a 20 percent rating from March 22, 2017, forward. The appeal for higher ratings prior to July 13, 2021, and thereafter remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to inadequate examination reports, failure to address prior examinations, and failure to distinguish symptoms from other conditions. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy are subject to further medical evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and scheduling issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, headache disability, and residuals of TBI are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service-connected conditions.,Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is also being remanded for a new rating determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral DDD and LLE femoral radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for his left ankle disability have been denied.,Service connection for a right knee and low back disabilities is remanded, as are issues related to TDIU.