Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left knee, hip, and foot disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their onset and etiology. The right knee disability is also remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for service connection for osteosclerosis must be denied.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his spondylotic changes lumbar spine, but a VA examination is needed to comply with the August 2019 Board remand directives.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infraction, stable angina and hyperlipidemia are both being remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete medical records and lack of exercise stress test.,The Veteran's spondylotic changes lumbar spine claim is also being remanded as the VA examination report noted that evidence of pain on passive range of motion testing was 'N/A'.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right leg disorder is denied.,Service connection for a neck disorder and right hand disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 100 percent for loss of use of the right and left lower extremities, 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and 20 percent for status post left clavicular shaft fracture with arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins was denied as her current condition is less likely than not related to her in-service symptoms.,Her right wrist disability was also denied, with the highest rating of 10 percent being granted.

The Veteran's service-connected exercise-induced asthma, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that updated examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including sprain, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome, is rated at 20 percent from February 25, 2020. Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with the cervical spine disability, both effective February 17, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and left knee arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating claims for over 20 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and over 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and left-hand middle finger disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The VA is required to provide an addendum medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including pain, spasm, and spondylosis, as well as his pre-existing left-hand middle finger scar.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of right ankle strain, finding that there is no persuasive evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding his knee, back, hip, and sciatic nerve disabilities need further examination to determine their etiology. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right and left lumbar radiculopathies, wrist disabilities, nerve disabilities of the upper extremities, and elbow disabilities due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his thoracic spine and left knee disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, including special monthly pension based upon the need for aid and attendance (SMP-AA), due to incomplete development of his medical records and income information.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that it is more disabling than currently evaluated.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his migraine headaches was granted with assignment of a 50% rating effective from December 29, 2013.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his service-connected back condition are denied. The criteria for higher ratings have not been met prior to December 19, 2022, and after that date.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, which approximates the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Board found that his symptoms most closely align with a 60 percent rating and granted this increased evaluation.