Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his active duty service and/or his service connected left knee disability, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including knee and foot conditions. The main reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical records, conducting further examinations, and developing claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders were denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) was previously denied, but the appeal is granted as her symptoms are related to active-duty service.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and related reopening claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 15, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed low back and neck disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and bilateral knee conditions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted. The Veteran also has a rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease beginning October 23, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for reopening service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis was granted. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of her claims, including those related to her right ankle disability, arthritis, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unavailability of VA examinations. The appeals are pending and will be adjudicated without the VA examination if the Veteran does not show up.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new VA treatment records. The Veteran is to be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) that includes these records.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for both the low back disorder and psychiatric disorders are inadequate to decide the claims. The Veteran's service records show a history of in-service back problems, and he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression during his active duty. A new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability, including any neurological disorder, is related to his military service. The matter will be reconsidered after obtaining this opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease of the lower back, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion and extension, as well as his low back disability, are not rated higher than the assigned percentages due to lack of evidence showing more severe impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right plantar fasciitis, low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition (coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation), deviated septum, and respiratory condition have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis of the spine, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, deviated septum, and a respiratory condition (sinusitis, rhinitis, upper respiratory infection).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gout, low back condition with arthritis, and sciatica due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for bipolar disorder, post-concussive headaches, and lumbar disc herniation. The TDIU claim is also on hold until all other claims are addressed.