Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a mental condition resulting from prostatectomy in March 2008 was denied due to lack of evidence showing the disability was caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and the reduction of his disability rating have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all related issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative disc disease and its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of functional loss during flare-ups in the August and December 2019 VA examination reports. A retrospective medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2019 decision. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries and symptoms must be meaningfully addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left wrist disorder, service connection for migraine headaches, and service connection for lumbosacral strain have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the left wrist disorder or service connection for the other two conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The examiner is asked to address whether the Veteran's current low back disability is proximately due to or a result of his service-connected right ankle disability, as well as if it is aggravated by that disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee disability, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, right hip strain, and left hip strain. The Veteran is now receiving a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine scoliosis, DDD, and lumbar strain were granted a disability rating of 20 percent from July 17, 2002 to August 22, 2011. The right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted a disability rating of 20 percent from November 13, 2008. However, the left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection as it is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to fine, particulate matter during service in the Persian Gulf. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The Veteran is asked to submit lay evidence corroborating his account of having recurrent back problems since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examinations and consideration of service connection claims due to lack of recent evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including spinal stenosis and hemangioblastoma of the spine, has been granted.,Service connection is also granted for erectile dysfunction and neurogenic bladder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc degeneration were denied. The 10% rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy was not granted, while the 20% and 40% ratings for the back disability prior to and after February 4, 2020 respectively, were also not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and failure to address specific issues raised by the Board in its December 2021 remand. The Veteran is required to provide addendum opinions from different VA examiners addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues of low back disability, bilateral athlete's foot, and costochondritis are being reviewed.