Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain and residual scar associated with removal of basal cell skin cancer, nose are service connected. The cervical spine disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

Your appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed because you withdrew your appeal under the legacy system by opting into the modernized review system.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for an effective date prior to May 26, 2016 for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals of the claims for higher initial disability rating for fibromyalgia and earlier effective date for service connection for fibromyalgia have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinion provided in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an initial 20 percent rating prior to December 1, 2017. From March 12, 2022 onwards, a higher rating is denied. Peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and radiculopathy are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of arthritis during or within one year after service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions supporting the July 2021 decision. The Veteran's lower back condition is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence added since the September 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the bilateral ankles, left foot, and right foot disabilities are related to service. The low back disability and right knee disability have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for right foot, hip, back, rib cage, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he is currently employed and his combined rating is at least 70%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, right foot condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability and issues related to TDIU. The Veteran's reports of in-service injury and post-service symptoms need to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and asthma have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, as there is no objective evidence of muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. For asthma, the evidence does not show at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic corticosteroids.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee strain, as well as a TDIU from May 26, 2017. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder alone precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral shin splints, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence of record.,Service connection was also denied for dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee, low back, and left inguinal hernia disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining the extent of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and injuries.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and a low back condition due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were based on his active duty service.