Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected back disability and scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential new evidence. The claims include left shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral ankle strain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for prostate hypertrophy, gastrointestinal disorder, kidney stones, skin disorders, pseudogout, anemia, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Guam or its territorial waters from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder, lumbar spine DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and IBS have been granted increased ratings. Service connection for residuals of frostbite has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back, left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. The current ratings of 20 percent are maintained.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examiner's opinion to determine if the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability is related to his in-service back complaints and whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, vision loss, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss and concluded that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes. For other conditions, the evidence did not establish a link between service and the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied, and the increased rating for lumbar strain and service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with disc protrusion and central canal narrowing with sciatica are both remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a vision disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the presumption of exposure to toxic substances during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability. The RO is instructed to obtain a new addendum opinion from an orthopedic specialist that addresses all potentially favorable evidence, including continuity of symptoms post-service and a claim for service connection 2 months after separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and back disabilities. The appeal regarding the right knee/leg and left knee disabilities is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for acid reflux, anemia, and a back condition need further development. The Veteran's medical records will be reviewed to determine if any conditions are present and their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a neck condition, and a back condition due to insufficient medical evidence to resolve these claims. The Veteran must be afforded examinations on remand to assess the nature and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including TBI, shoulder disability, arm disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder. However, the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, left knee condition, right knee condition, back condition, and sleep apnea are all found to be etiologically linked to his active-duty service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral knee conditions (left and right), and back condition.