Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and missing VA treatment records, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's neck/upper back condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hip disabilities, including thigh impairment, and associated lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical evidence and failed to provide a proper opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The case is now back with VA for further examination and an updated opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fungus of the feet and toenails was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of this condition, and thus denied the claim. Other issues were remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability from April 19, 2016 to March 21, 2019. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his back disability and ED. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities as secondary to a back disability. The Veteran's Social Security Administration records are requested, and VA treatment records from Harborview Medical Center since 1998 are also sought.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and/or lumbar strain. The examiner must clarify if the sinus condition aggravates the OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease is remanded, and the claim for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective December 30, 2014, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 14, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, claimed as seborrheic dermatitis, has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and GAD) and a lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a separate disability of the back other than cervical strain and for left ring finger fracture, to include scarring, as secondary to service-connected cervical strain. The claim for increased rating for cervical strain was also denied.,There is no indication that any exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune) played a role in the Veteran's conditions.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a back condition due to lack of jurisdiction.,PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective March 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to difficulties in contacting the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on forward flexion greater than 30 degrees and pain with motion, but without any evidence of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an eye injury due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's back condition (degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis) is not related to his military service and was denied. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.