Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral and iliotibial band syndrome, and thoracolumbar spondylolisthesis due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a low back condition. The claims for neck, right wrist, right hip, right ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 1, 2006 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for a higher back rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling an updated VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to overlooked issues and unavailability of service treatment records. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is acknowledged, but no presumptive diseases are listed as related to this exposure.

The Veteran's effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is denied as there was no pending claim prior to August 24, 2017, and the evidence does not show a factually ascertainable increase in service-connected disabilities during the one-year look-back period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability caused or aggravated his left knee, left ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities. The examiner is to consider obesity as a potential intermediate factor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied due to her failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his military service. The VA needs to obtain private treatment records and provide an updated opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10 percent from November 29, 2010, and denied for a higher rating. The right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 70 percent since January 12, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and a right thumb condition due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to in-service injuries, but the VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale or consider all relevant medical evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for his low back disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis as he withdrew these claims through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development and adjudication due to failure to comply with previous remand orders. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected lumbosacral sprain and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for cervical spine strain, service connection for bilateral flat foot, and service connection for lumbosacral strain due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

Service connection for a right foot disability and a right ankle disability has been granted, but only to the extent that they are related to service. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by her period of service.,The Veteran's low back/lumbar spine disability and tension headaches have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at 100 percent effective February 24, 2020.,A TDIU was granted beginning March 13, 2017. The issue of a TDIU for the period when the 100 percent rating is in effect is moot due to the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound status.,Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate is granted effective February 24, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with IVDS has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received, which raises the possibility of substantiating his claim. The case will be reviewed again by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his right foot condition, as well as functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use.