Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, asthma, COPD, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, prostate cancer, and CAD.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for lower back disability, ankle disabilities, knee disabilities, and wrist disabilities. The reasons for remand include the need for additional medical opinions due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, low memory, PTSD, groin strain, and complications from cholecystectomy. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroscopy is granted a 60% rating as of December 1, 2013. The lumbar spine disability claim and TDIU prior to April 15, 2014 are remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with bipolar II disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher. The other service-connected conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA medical records and further examination is needed to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disorders, head injury residuals, scarring at the head, bilateral eye disorders, or a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, insufficient examinations, and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 20, 2015 for service connection of lumbar spine IVDS. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and a back condition due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran needs further examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his service-connected sinusitis or incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to her military service or caused by her service-connected foot condition.,The Board found no chronicity of the Veteran's right hip, knee, or back conditions during or after her military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded for further medical development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a spine condition, including scoliosis, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service and that his current back disabilities are not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with scoliosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a re-examination and consideration of flare-ups.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for PTSD have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and earlier effective date have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to service connection for left shoulder injury and rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain have not been conducted as per the May 2020 remand directives. The claims are therefore being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has found that there is not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. The appeal for right side numbness, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are all being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.