Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for his service-connected musculoligamentous strain with degenerative disc disease from January 1, 1982 to June 29, 2004 has been dismissed. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating have been met during this period.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability and denied an increased rating for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar DDD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 40 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's service connection appeals for left knee and neck disabilities. The Board has also granted service connection for a lumbar disability, but dismissed the appeal for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling examinations and readjudicating the TDIU claim since January 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, knee, and low back disabilities due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide any STRs he may have in his possession and for VA to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for diabetes. The reasons include a lack of corroborating evidence regarding service connection and conflicting medical records on the diagnosis of diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to walk and use his extremities without significant aid.

The Board has remanded the cases for further clarification and examination of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, right knee disability, and TDIU claim due to incomplete or unclear examination reports.

The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded, and the claim of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is also remanded. The claims of entitlement to service connection for ED and PTSD are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression, a back disability, and a skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not fully addressed due to incomplete VA examinations. The issues must be remanded to afford the Veteran a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis and right lumbar radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The case must be remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate development. The right lower extremity radiculopathy claim requires a VA examination, and the DDD involving the lumbosacral spine claim needs an addendum opinion regarding functional equivalent of ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right arm radiculopathy, lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His skin condition (chloracne) is denied as not being related to active service.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not comply with prior remand directives and has therefore ordered additional examinations and opinions to address issues related to sleep apnea and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck and back conditions, as well as the severity of his right wrist condition.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritic conditions have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and such impairment is permanent in nature.,An award of eligibility for SAH precludes a separate SHA grant due to the loss of use of both feet.