Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back disability) as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted prior to August 10, 2022. The appeal regarding the lumbosacral strain (low back disability), left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee instability, and right knee instability issues remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral heel/foot condition, depression, and chronic sinus/allergy disorder have been granted. The right lower extremity disability associated with the lumbar spine has been remanded. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, including as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches. The VA examinations provided were deemed inadequate due to a lack of review of relevant medical records and incomplete physical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as secondary to his service-connected Achille's tendon rupture, tinea pedis, and bilateral knee strain. The remand requires an addendum opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is remanded to obtain updated examinations and assessments of her current disability levels.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for low back disability and bilateral femoral nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to improper filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient addressing of whether the Veteran's low back disability is aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability. The claim will be returned for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of cooperation from the Veteran and insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations for his sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, right arm disorder, low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are chronic and continuous since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate since August 10, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. Prior to this date, SMC was denied as his other service-connected disabilities did not combine to reach a rating of 60 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back (lumbar spine) disability, finding that the Veteran's chronic lumbar spine condition was incurred during his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

Your claim of service connection for a low back disability has been granted by the VA Regional Office in September 2022. As your issue is no longer before the Board, it is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations because he is incarcerated.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain and degenerative joint disease, lumbar strain and degenerative joint disease, right hip bursitis, and lower extremity sciatica as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder due to new and material evidence received since the final December 2011 rating decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder from April 24, 2015, but his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity remain at 40 percent.,The Board has remanded issues regarding service connection for a lumbar disorder, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and an effective date earlier than March 5, 2013.