Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity in-service, nor does it establish continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for right upper jaw disability, low back disability, left shoulder disability, arthritis, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to review the additional evidence provided since the last SSOC.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are necessary to assess the current nature, onset and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations and good cause has been shown.

The Board has determined that a new opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's back disorder, as the current medical evidence does not address whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a TDIU is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbosacral spine injury residuals including lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's condition originated during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and incomplete service records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service.

The Board has found that there are outstanding records and the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations for his service connection claims. The appeals are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for low back disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was not provided with adequate notice of VA examinations, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and alcoholism. The claims for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 31, 2013 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's claims for back sprain, left calf tear, and right calf tear are remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions based on the lack of a diagnosis for these conditions in service records. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is any functional impairment related to these conditions and whether they are at least as likely as not due to service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating, effective January 31, 2020. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are remanded due to allegations of worsening.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bronchial asthma and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with right sacral fracture, and related radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine condition, as well as the severity of her lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and associated scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran is seeking an increase in rating for his left elbow disability, which includes limitation of flexion and extension. The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed.