Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including low back, cervical spine, left shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle conditions. The Veteran's hypertension was also not found to be service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for GERD, lung nodules, and a back condition is dismissed.,An effective date earlier than July 10, 2014, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and TDIU were dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as the appellant passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and non-VA treatment records, a retrospective medical opinion on range of motion, and obtaining relevant VA treatment records from Sarasota Vet Center.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations, and additional development is needed.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the low back disability, but remanded the issues of increased ratings for the right shoulder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence showing worsening of these conditions.

The Veteran's back disorder, claimed as painful motion of the low back, is granted subject to laws and regulations governing monetary awards. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and syncope are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for prostate hypertrophy, heart disorder, sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic low back strain with degenerative changes, and chronic synovitis of both ankles. The AOJ is instructed to clarify whether the Appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse and complete additional development as requested in previous remands.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow, left knee, and low back disorders.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted service connection. The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding other bilateral lower extremity disabilities and the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and pes planus.

The Veteran's right and left hip ankylosis, along with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) with spondylosis, have been granted initial ratings of 70 percent since June 21, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues include left foot, right foot, back, kidney disease, gastroesophageal and/or gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), gynecological condition, acquired psychiatric disability, anemia, sleep apnea, thyroid disorder, respiratory disorder, hypertension, bone disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan is also under review.

The Veteran's kidney condition may be related to his service, specifically exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. However, a VA examination is needed to confirm this.,The Veteran's left middle finger fracture residuals are likely not related to his service due to the lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for right-knee disorder, left-knee disorder, cervical-spine disorder, thoracic-spine disorder, and lumbar-spine disorder. The gastrointestinal disorder claim remains denied as there is no evidence supporting its service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability as secondary to service-connected knee and hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and low back condition due to deficiencies in previous VA examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted. The claims for left knee, hip, leg, and ankle disorders are remanded due to lack of proper VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches. The claims for back and neck disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.