Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar strain and left ankle sprain, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service. The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's lay statements of in-service injury and intermittent pain since then.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and need further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lower back disability is granted a 20% rating for the period before November 14, 2018. For the period beginning November 14, 2018, a higher rating is denied. The left knee disability is granted a 20% rating for the period before November 14, 2018 and a higher rating is denied for the period beginning November 14, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions provided were not in substantial compliance with the September 2022 Remand directives and have ordered new VA opinions to be obtained. The claims for lumbar spine disability, right-hand disability, and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence obtained by VA, including VA treatment records. The Veteran's back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are being reviewed again as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service dates in the Army Reserve and for a new VA examination to determine if his chronic low back pain is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's military service included parachute jumps which may be relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and SMC due to housebound status, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's SMC based on loss of use of the right foot is granted effective January 24, 2012. The Board has remanded for additional development regarding his hypertension and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records from the Columbus VAMC. The Board will obtain these records and readjudicate the cases.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a neck fracture, chronic cervical spine arthralgias, and degenerative disc disease at C4-C5 with left C6 nerve root involvement. The Veteran's in-service injury was not shown to be related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and entitlement to service connection has been granted for a back disorder. The remaining issues of right wrist and ankle disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from March 20, 2015 for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of whether a higher rating was warranted from March 20, 2014 to March 20, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements and service records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include a back disability and obstructive sleep apnea, with the latter potentially secondary to pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to comply with previous remands. The Veteran's back condition is being reviewed again for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with laminectomies and discectomies L4-5 with spinal stimulator placement is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a cancelled VA examination. The Veteran was unable to attend the scheduled examination.