Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, back, and right leg disabilities due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to exposure during the Persian Gulf War. The right elbow strain, thoracolumbar spine and sacroiliac joint arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, PTSD, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain are all granted with appropriate ratings. Service connection for chest condition with pain and palpitations is denied. Service connection for left hand spasm and right hand spasm is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of evidence regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of flare-ups prior to January 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, and low back disability has been denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or impairment related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, or low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asbestosis and/or COPD, is being remanded due to the need for further development. The low back disability has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 20 percent from March 30, 2017 to June 15, 2022. The Board granted a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal for this rating period. TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disability precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including postgastrectomy syndrome and thoracic spine strain. The claims are being remanded because of procedural errors in previous decisions and the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, herniated disc of the lumbar spine with low back pain, radiculopathy left lower extremity, and radiculopathy right lower extremity. The issues related to these conditions have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total evaluation due to back surgery, as a new VA medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his lower back condition.

The Veteran's back disability is found to have started during service and continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent from June 25, 2018 to July 16, 2022. This rating is based on the criteria for a higher evaluation due to significant limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand, knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and enduring exposure to combat operations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, migraine headache disorder secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and hemorrhoids secondary to IBS. The issues are all related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The left elbow, right femur fracture residuals, and left knee degenerative arthritis cases are also remanded due to the Veteran's testimony of increased severity since the last VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for low blood platelets. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as clarification of certain procedural matters. The issues include evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, TBI residuals, low back disability, knee disabilities, right hand and finger disability, dermatitis, onychomycosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right hip, and left hip disorders due to potential aggravation by service-connected knee disabilities. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder).

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability prior to May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for his neck disability prior to May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for his back disability from May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for his neck disability from May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.