Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his back and right leg disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining claims.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not cooperate with the VA examinations and failed to provide medical records, resulting in a lack of sufficient evidence to decide his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and psychiatric disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher initial rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to potential issues with the presumption of soundness, as well as incomplete VA treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and convulsive disorder due to incomplete development of records. The RO is directed to attempt to obtain any outstanding private medical records, SSA disability records, and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a respiratory disorder, to include asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Board will consider reopening his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar sprain is rated at 40 percent, effective November 12, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to a challenge by the Veteran regarding the competency of the October 2021 VA examiner. The AOJ is required to provide the requested educational and professional background information in compliance with Francway v. Wilkie.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports. The Board will request a supplemental medical opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the lack of relevant chiropractic records, and requests that the Veteran provide information on these records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial rating of 10% prior to February 5, 2016. An effective date of February 5, 2016, for a 20% rating is granted. From February 5, 2016, the claim for increased ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU prior to October 2, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her back disability prior to October 2, 2007.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection and TDIU related to low back condition, hypertension, breast cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome affecting both upper extremities, and entitlement to a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back disability. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for bilateral knee disability and back disability with associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and scar post-spinal surgery are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The back, left hip, and right hip disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.