Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and headache disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant served in active duty from December 1990 to May 1991 with a period of ACDUTRA from August 1976 to November 1976.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology in service and post-service. Additionally, a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to active service. Finally, an opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether her service-connected psychiatric disability may be a contributing factor. The Board also finds that evaluations for her ankle, hip, and back disabilities need to be remanded as well.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and a thoracolumbar spine sprain are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased ratings of sinusitis, rhinitis, and a back disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition. Service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, bilateral foot, and left heel bone spur disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for low back condition and remanded the claims for left knee and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran withdrew his claims of right toe disability, left shoulder disability, PTSD with PDD, painful scar, anal cyst scar, folliculitis skin rash, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date set at May 31, 2019. The claim for an increased rating from May 31, 2019 and no earlier was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for a back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations, lack of treatment records, and other procedural issues. The Veteran will need to cooperate with future VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 10, 2018 and the rating is granted. A higher rating greater than 40 percent for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, also claimed as a back condition, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the issue.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and DISH of the thoracic spine.,Service connection was also denied for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted increased disability ratings, with a maximum rating of 50% for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the opinions provided. The issues include neck condition, low back condition, and right-hand condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the condition and that it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or post-service continuity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again for a proper determination of its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's low back disability, neurological tics, and respiratory disabilities are related to service.