Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, right knee, left knee, and left hip disabilities, as well as his rhinitis and sinus headaches. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted, but the claim for an increased rating for his back disability must be remanded to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective July 29, 2018. Service connection for left shoulder condition and low back condition are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with prior compression fracture) due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, sciatic nerve disability of the RLE, neck disability, and IBS due to duty-related injuries during active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The issues of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including back, right shoulder, left wrist, right knee, and ankle issues. The reasons include a lack of continuity of symptoms post-service and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's back disability and sciatica are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities were granted, but the effective dates are set to January 4, 2010. The claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to a failure to properly notify the Veteran of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and radiculopathy, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral foot condition, lower back condition, and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups and range of motion testing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various disability ratings and other claims before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition. The Veteran's claim was based on traction treatment for his left knee and a car accident, but these were not supported by contemporaneous medical records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for lumbosacral strain with segmental instability, left leg sciatica, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of timely filing of a VA Form 10182 Notice of Disagreement.