Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examinations and needs to provide new VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (back) conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar and sacroiliac arthritis, which is confirmed by radiographic imaging, is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical records and an inadequate VA opinion, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left elbow, back, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for updated VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service, but may be aggravated by his lumbar spine disability. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee disability. The rating for DJD/DDD lumbar spine needs clarification due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine injury residuals with degenerative disc disease was denied. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea and the TDIU claim were also addressed, but further development is required due to inadequate medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis.,Service connection is denied for gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's achalasia was not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for VA medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms and etiology.

The Veteran's back condition, specifically degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is remanded for further examination and consideration. Additionally, his claim for TDIU has been raised and is also in need of development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise causally related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and low back disabilities. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and knee conditions, depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2015. The Board denied the temporary total evaluation for the right shoulder disability and granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and separate compensable ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional information from examiners. The issues of right knee disorder, hernia, muscle fatigue, bladder and urinary symptoms associated with mechanical low back pain, and bowel symptoms associated with mechanical low back pain are being addressed.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection. The cervical spine disability remains at a 20% rating, but the lumbar spine disability receives a 40% rating beginning January 17, 2020. No other conditions receive initial ratings or SMC determinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection due to the nature of his military activities during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back, left knee, left wrist, and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Further development is needed.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 5, 1997 for the award of service connection for lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and left knee condition, due to a lack of recent VA examinations and missing medical records.