Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated as part of his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and he does not have a separate rating for these residuals. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated based on limitation of flexion only. He seeks an increased rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The other service connection claims are denied.,Service connection for atrophied testicle/loss of use of a creative organ, kidney disability, right knee disability, back disability, and right foot disability were all denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to scheduling conflicts and missing VA treatment records.

The service connection claim for lumbar spine disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no established link between the current condition and active duty service. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back and right knee conditions. The Veteran's claims for headaches and left foot skin condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis. The issues of service connection for left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left hip disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion using the but-for causation standard.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from December 14, 2011.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability is granted. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for TBI and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to outstanding treatment records and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and IVDS has not manifested by forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, nor has favorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine been demonstrated. As a result, her claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and service connection for fibromyalgia due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and pes planus are reopened.,The claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is denied.,The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from January 1, 2008, to July 29, 2014, and since November 1, 2014. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for headaches (knot on head) has been reopened. The claims for unspecified depressive disorder, back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right hip disability, and left hip disability are denied. The claim for service connection for headaches remains pending with the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain, including low back, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, and right wrist, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, as well as his claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

Your claims for service connection related to back disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been remanded. The Board found that the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct relationship between these conditions and your active-duty service.,The Veteran's hypertension and headaches were reopened based on new evidence showing potential links to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to an in-service fall, as well as whether any current back disability is related to the Veteran's service-connected coccyx disability. The case will be returned to the Board with instructions to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.