Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint disabilities, including left shoulder, right elbow, right wrist, cervical spine, low back, and left ankle disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and complete a TERA Memorandum. Additional VA clinical records are also needed. A Gulf War examination should be conducted, and the Veteran should undergo multiple VA examinations for each of his claimed conditions to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding the nature and etiology of his back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for a disorder claimed as degenerative arthritis was denied because the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's arthritis diagnoses were found to be unrelated to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and low back pain were also denied as the evidence did not support a finding that they began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's spinal stenosis is a congenital defect not subject to a superimposed disease or injury during service resulting in additional disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining new VA opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this development is completed.

The Veteran's low back disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,Prior to February 25, 2022, the Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood met the criteria for a 50 percent rating. From February 25, 2022, the criteria were not met for an increased rating.

The Veteran's left and right lumbar radiculopathy are granted with a rating of 20 percent, effective July 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and left knee disorder due to incomplete notification of VA examinations and outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide new authorization forms for his Kaiser Permanente records and other private providers' records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran's Lumbar Strain claim is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disability due to incomplete examination and missing VA treatment records. Additional opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the condition, including consideration of service-connected conditions and toxic exposures.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service low back injury. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and headaches due to insufficient information on their etiology. The Veteran is not diagnosed with these conditions, but he contends they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and a right hip disability due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions regarding his lower back, right knee, left calf, and left ankle conditions. The issues are related to service connection for these conditions as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for recurring tonsil disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include secondary to tinnitus), and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of annual clothing allowances for his braces in 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as hearing loss. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically related to the ameliorative effects of her medications on past VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation and opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address specific issues raised in previous remands. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being returned for further development.