Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip conditions due to insufficient examination findings and lack of addressing of obesity as an intermediate step between service-connected PTSD and these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for nerve damage of the right foot great toe and lumbar spine disability due to further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for a new examination. The issues of service connection for jaw condition/grinding of the teeth, bilateral wrist condition to include carpal tunnel, bilateral hand pain, bilateral elbow pain, left knee pain, and left shoulder pain are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and for an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and further review of the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for lower back disability, pleurisy, and restless leg syndrome due to inconsistencies in the separation examination report and incomplete testing. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied due to her failure to report for the scheduled examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is reopened, but the case is remanded to obtain inpatient treatment records from Fort McClellan Hospital and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his current diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis, cervical segmental dysfunction (neck pain), and compression fracture of L1. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed, as well as his seborrheic dermatitis of the bilateral ears.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection of a sleep disorder is granted. The claims for service connection of left knee condition and low back disability are remanded. The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from when his claim was received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, hip, shin splints, knee, and psychiatric disabilities are not adequately addressed by the VA examinations provided. Therefore, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's low back strain disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 22, 2011. The Board is remanding the issue of whether a higher rating is warranted prior to July 19, 2016.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities was initially granted at 10 percent from July 2, 2018 and increased to 20 percent effective July 2, 2018. The Board is remanding the issues of whether a higher rating is warranted prior to July 2, 2018.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities was initially granted at 10 percent from July 2, 2018 and increased to 20 percent effective July 2, 2018. The Board is remanding the issues of whether a higher rating is warranted prior to July 2, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have been continuous since separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to chronic disease in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of the record, including the need to obtain private treatment records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 20, 2019 due to his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's testimony and VA treatment records will be considered in determining the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2), as his service-connected disabilities render him in need of a higher level of care without which he would require residential institutional care.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the rating for chronic low back strain, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.