Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, lumbar degenerative arthritis and disc disease, and the related bilateral sciatic radiculopathy as these conditions are found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The issues of low back, right leg, left leg, and acquired psychiatric conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective from October 8, 2012. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for a back condition, vitiligo, and serotonin syndrome residuals need further development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since separation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as a TDIU determination. The Social Security Administration records are requested due to their potential relevance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back condition is etiologically related to her active-duty service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fracture of the right thumb and mechanical low back pain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has found that remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and bilateral foot condition. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's left third toe disorder is not service-connected as it did not have its onset during his period of honorable service and is not etiologically related to his period of honorable service.,Bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, but the extent of aggravation beyond its natural progression is unclear due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a bilateral ankle condition, a back condition (including sciatica and low back pain), obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot disability, and back disability claims are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, left and right ankle conditions, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left and right knee conditions has been remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spondylosis with lumbosacral strain and IVDS symptoms were rated at 20 percent prior to February 24, 2022. From February 24, 2022, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, as new evidence shows he has a current diagnosis of unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, major neurocognitive disorder secondary to TBI/gunshot wound to the head, substance abuse disorder, and PTSD.,The Veteran's right elbow disability was reopened, as new evidence suggests it may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The claims file was updated with recent treatment records, and the Veteran was asked to provide a new VA Form 21-8940 and release of medical information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, a sinus disability due to asbestos exposure, right and left shoulder disabilities, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability. The remand is due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, as the previous examinations did not provide sufficient information on loss of range of motion during flare-ups and repetitive use.