Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which she claims is related to her service. The Court reversed the presumption of soundness in this case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates were not granted earlier than July 25, 2016, as there was no indication of a claim prior to that date. Increased ratings were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy have all been denied as they do not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.,A compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed as they have already been addressed in the Board's August 2020 decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was granted.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to injuries he suffered during active-duty service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various knee, foot, ankle, and hand disabilities should be remanded due to a lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started in service and has continued since then. The cervical spine, low back, and left hip disorders are remanded for additional development as the VA examiners' opinions did not consider pertinent service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower lumbar spine condition due to additional development being necessary. The case will be reviewed again after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 7, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran and his representative argue that additional medical inquiry is required, including determining the credibility of the Veteran's statements about in-service injuries and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused an inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 11, 2017. The Board found that the evidence showed he was unable to work due to his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in August 2018 are inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability or otherwise related to his active-duty service.

The appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims and did not provide new and material evidence within one year of the final rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,An increased rating of 70 percent has been granted for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.