Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new VA examinations and medical opinions to address his lumbar spine disorder, ankle disorders, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the service-connected right toe disability aggravated the claimed back disability, including any altered gait resulting from it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding insufficient evidence to link it to his service-connected knee disability or active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but not more. The Board also granted TDIU as of February 19, 2013.

The Veteran's left elbow arthritis, status post excision of radial head, removal of radial head prosthesis (extension) is currently rated as noncompensable due to limited extension not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,The low back disability claim has been remanded for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all rated as they were originally. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including depression, back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and kidney disease. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence or undergo medical examinations regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and bruxism due to incomplete STRs and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is limited to the period prior to April 30, 2021, seeking entitlement to an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,For the period prior to April 30, 2021, the Board concluded that an initial evaluation exceeding 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is not supported under Diagnostic Code 8520.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings in multiple areas of his service-connected conditions is being remanded due to inadequate prior examinations and the need for retrospective opinions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The case is pending further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including residuals of a right 5th metacarpal fracture, cervical strain, lumbar strain, TBI, tinnitus, and PTSD. The AOJ should ensure that these examinations are scheduled and completed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with cognitive/memory issues, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine condition, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and a lower back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to ambiguities in medical opinions and inconsistencies with prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability including as secondary to service-connected disabilities of the knees and for an increased rating for left knee disability status post ACL repair due to procedural issues, need for additional development, and need for new examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to the need for additional development. The issues include a left shoulder disability, PTSD, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and TDIU.