Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases for not considering newly created VA evidence in the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for a 20 percent rating for service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and stenosis, prior to October 22, 2018, and for TDIU prior to March 29, 2021 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for onychomycosis, heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service and/or his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, psoriasis, a low back disability, a right knee disability, and a respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's right shoulder, left leg, and right leg conditions are being reviewed again with new VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of service personnel records. The claim will be remanded to obtain these records and to schedule VA examinations to determine the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial increased ratings for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right thumb disabilities due to errors in citation of VA examinations conducted in July 2012.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral arm (forearm) and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it began during active service and is related to in-service motor vehicle accidents. The decision also addressed whether the Veteran engaged in willful misconduct, concluding that he did not.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lower back disorder due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, and the appeal concerning a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's left hip strain rating was reduced from 20% to noncompensable effective August 11, 2015. The compensable disability rating for the left thigh limitation of flexion prior to April 2, 2022 is denied. A 20% disability rating for the lumbar spine condition prior to June 12, 2017 and from October 1, 2017 to April 27, 2022 is granted. The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is rated separately at least mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. A TDIU is granted. Increased ratings for the lumbar spine condition and left hip limitation of motion are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back disability, pulmonary condition, and Parkinson's Disease due to missing records and incomplete information.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and cervical spine disability are all remanded for additional development to obtain VA and private treatment records and retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability and initial compensable rating for headache disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.