Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective October 11, 2017. An earlier effective date of October 11, 2017, for the currently assigned 20 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with service-connected lumbar strain is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right-shoulder disorder, but remanded issues regarding reopening of claims for lumbar-spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat feet, bilateral heel spurs, low back disability, left knee disability, and neck disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The claim of service connection for a back condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to February 3, 2020 due to inadequate medical opinions in the March 2018 and February 2020 examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current condition. The Veteran reported an injury during cadet training, but no records support this and he did not seek treatment at the time.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain was granted, with the highest available rating of 40 percent being assigned. The case is remanded for further development regarding total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, right hip, left hip, thoracolumbar spine disorder (previously claimed as a spinal injury), and cervical spine disorder (previously claimed as a spinal injury).

The Veteran's low back strain is granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to January 11, 2021 and denied for increased ratings thereafter. Service connection for COPD was denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as numbness), left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as numbness), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right knee disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for left knee disability (claimed as chronic knee strain post fracture of the left lateral femoral condyle) is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right shin splint disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for left shin splint disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right wrist disability is reopened.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since March 19, 2021. The rating was granted as the condition has been manifested with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, which entitles the Veteran to an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back condition as they relate to obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities were denied because the submitted evidence did not provide a medical nexus between an in-service incident and their current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of functional equivalent of ankylosis and improper independent medical judgment in interpreting pain reports. Additional remand is needed for updated records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, left leg sciatica, and lumbar spine disability has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

Service connection is granted for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability. Service connection is denied for hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, varicose veins, and blood clots of the lower extremities.,The Veteran's service treatment records indicate an in-service left knee injury. A private medical opinion diagnosed a current left knee disability and opined that it was related to the in-service injury. The July 2017 VA examination indicated no relationship between the left knee disability and service, but this is not considered as the August 2022 private medical opinion is more persuasive.