Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar disorder, as there are inconsistencies in the previous opinions provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent hip, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities is granted. Service connection for COPD is also granted due to environmental toxin exposure in Southwest Asia. The right hip disability claim has been reopened, but further evidence is needed regarding the treatment received during active service.

The Board has decided the claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, back disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of chronic sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of chronic osteomyelitis or near constant sinusitis with purulent discharge. For the back and right shoulder disabilities, the Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions and records. The issues of increases in ratings for various lower extremity radiculopathies and a TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for new retrospective opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and right elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.,Service connection was also not granted for residuals of gall bladder removal and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine disability were granted service connection, while the right shoulder strain, eczema, and onychomycosis of both great toenails issues resulted in a rating increase or grant. The case was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and granted it. However, the issue of secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his spine disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and an inadequate examination. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for the scheduled examination will result in denial of his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right elbow condition, left knee condition, and lower back condition due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues with the initial disability rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis, and service connection decisions for right knee disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and evidence of worsening condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, finding that the Veteran's credible testimony and medical evidence support her claim of having experienced this condition during her military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his visual disturbances related to hypertension. The VA will obtain an addendum from the examiner who completed the October 2021 VA hypertension disability benefits questionnaire.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 1, 2012. Therefore, the Board denied his claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 13, 2018.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a back disability and sleep apnea, including as due to PTSD. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being finalized.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for rating purposes, and requests additional information from the Veteran.