Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a back disability due to incomplete STRs. The Veteran's active-duty service was from June 1966 to July 1974, but only his enlistment and report of medical examination are available in the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to non-weightbearing range of motion, functional limitation, and medication effects on the lumbar spine. The right and left foot neuropathy ratings and effective dates need to be addressed. An opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to active duty service or a 1968 sprain.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and headache disorders are granted service connection. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity disorder (to include radiculopathy), and bilateral hip disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, seizures, headaches, anxiety disorder, and back condition, cause significant impairment to the extent that he requires regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, lumbar spine disability, and GERD due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service records show treatment for respiratory issues in service, but VA examiners have provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of entitlement to service connection for neck disability, torticollis, back disability, and essential tremors are now before the Board.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

Your appeal for a higher rating for your back condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The case will be closed without prejudice.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for updated treatment records.

An initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted effective April 22, 2003. An initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted effective October 5, 2016.,A higher rating in excess of 20 percent for both conditions remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its denial, specifically regarding the credibility of the Veteran's statements and an insufficient VA examination. The matter is now back with the Board for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine DDD and DJD, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left great toe disability and low back disability due to insufficient development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back disability, IBS, CFS, fibromyalgia, tremors of the hands, white matter disease, and numbness of the head and face. Additional evidence was uploaded after the last adjudication in December 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's spine and gastrointestinal disabilities, as well as toxic exposure risk activities in Vietnam. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, anxiety disorder, and low back pain, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 1, 2004 for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for left eye nevus and photophobia is remanded due to need for updated examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracic back, left jaw numbness, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to additional development of records and examinations.