Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and back disability due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The case will be reviewed with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to incomplete service treatment records. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) found that the Board did not adequately address whether there was a pre-existing condition in service, and thus ordered the matter back to the Board for readjudication.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disorder, respiratory disorder, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are granted on a direct basis.,The Veteran's left hip condition is also granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for hysterectomy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lumbar disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for thoracic spine DDD, a prior effective date, and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected due to aggravation during active duty.,The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis is granted as service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the service connection claims for epilepsy, vision condition, migraine headaches, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, right hip disability, neck disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined-effects medical examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in previous decisions, including failure to adequately address functional ankylosis and neurologic impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to active duty.

The Board has determined that updated medical records and new VA examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy/neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and gastrointestinal condition (GERD) are granted, with the latter being reopened based on new evidence.,Service connection for a back condition is established.

The Board has found that further development is required to obtain outstanding records, including those from the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation program and her TDIU application for the period from May 2003 to October 2008. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to withdrawal of claims for right shoulder disorder and tinnitus, and the Board found new and material evidence in favor of reopening her claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, and left shoulder disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for left knee injury and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's low back strain and degenerative disc disease are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with GERD is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's tendonitis of the right ankle is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's residuals from injury to the left ankle are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board has also remanded several other claims for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or missing service treatment records, and for additional development including VA examinations.