Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, including a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its impact on functional impairment during flare-ups prior to November 15, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, ED, hypertension, and eye disability. The increased rating claims for right hip limitation of extension and flexion prior to July 9, 2017, and a compensable rating thereafter are denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left hip limitations of extension and adduction prior to July 18, 2022, right hip limitations of extension and adduction prior to July 18, 2022, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis/athlete's feet has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board decision.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for low back disability and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to May 8, 2019. From May 8, 2019 to May 31, 2022, his combined rating was 40%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection for a low back disability is denied, while service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and provide an opinion regarding his claims of small fiber neuropathy and a back disorder, as these conditions are secondary to his service-connected chronic multi-symptom and multi-system undiagnosed illness characterized by diffuse muscle pain and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 16, 2016 and denies an increased rating for his back disability from February 16, 2016 to August 7, 2017. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, as well as for a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg degeneration and a herniated disc due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as lumbar spine disability, need to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during service and continuous symptoms since then are considered credible.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted a 30 percent rating. The low back disability is granted a 20 percent rating effective November 9, 2017; a 40 percent rating effective January 13, 2020; and denied for ratings in excess of these levels.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, including his MOS as a carpenter and mason. An additional VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to back, left knee, OSA, digestion condition, painful joints, fatigue, and skin conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a VA examination is required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the record regarding the Veteran's flare-ups and a need for additional VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The issue of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and the TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 23, 2015 for the grant of service connection for residuals of left foot fracture. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for a TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.