Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, specifically requesting that a clinician provide an estimate of additional loss of range of motion due to flare-ups in degrees. The TDIU and low back rating issues are intertwined.

The Board has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs assistance with daily activities, but a VA examination is required to determine if this need is solely due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left hip, right hip, and ankle disabilities has been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for her left and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40 percent rating from August 25, 2011 to December 3, 2013. A higher rating for the right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the submission of new evidence. The claims on appeal include a request for an increased rating for headaches, service connection for a back disability secondary to TBI, and a TDIU determination.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions and lack of an examination addressing all issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a lower back disability due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relation to service. Further development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an examiner who will address the Veteran's statements about his symptoms and their relation to service.

The Board has determined that updated examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the evidence suggests these conditions may be more severe than previously evaluated. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right knee disability, characterized as a torn medial meniscus, was not rated higher than 10 percent. His back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the spine, also did not warrant an increase beyond 10 percent. Service connection was denied for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings regarding the current severity of the service-connected low back strain and its associated conditions, as well as questions about secondary service connection for IVDS and left sciatic radiculopathy. The Veteran's symptoms and limitations need further clarification.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's heart condition, seizures, bilateral eye disabilities (right and left), and migraines were not found to be related to his service.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, low back disorder, headaches, diverticulitis, and bilateral restless leg syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the May 2012 VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for new VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various genitourinary and musculoskeletal disabilities, including prostate cancer, kidney disability, bladder disability, low back disability, right hip disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions, particularly regarding exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back disability and radiculopathy, including rating determinations for different periods of time and effective date determinations. The main reasons are due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases in previous decisions regarding functional ankylosis of the spine and earlier reports of radiating pain.

The Veteran's low back strain evaluation is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar spondylosis effective August 21, 2011. The Veteran is entitled to this increased rating as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in the lumbar spine, including degenerative arthritis and DDD, is granted. The issue of service connection for TBI residuals is remanded.