Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine condition and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 16, 2016 and at 20 percent on and after that date. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are both rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not entitled to a higher rating prior to December 16, 2016 or on and after that date. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are both not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right hip and/or knee disabilities. Additional development, including obtaining medical opinions, is required.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and lumbar radiculopathy, is aggravated by his service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hip, elbow, hand, and ankle disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the issues of service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Additional examination or opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's migraines are found to be aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for them. A 10 percent rating for tinnitus is granted. The lumbosacral strain claim is remanded due to increased symptoms not addressed in the previous examination. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) and hearing loss are also remanded as new evidence or clarification of medical opinions may be needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unresolved issues with her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc degeneration and remanded other issues related to the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, right knee, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems, and dental condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the prior VA examination and the need for a new opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding his back pain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected scoliosis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and lack of information on functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and a TDIU. The effective date for service connection is denied, but the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back disability, specifically addressing whether it would result in unfavorable ankylosis without considering the ameliorative effects of medication and other treatments. The case will also be reviewed to obtain non-VA physical therapy records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and prostate cancer require further development due to incomplete medical opinions and unverified exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in prior examinations and insufficient information regarding the Veteran's disability picture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and psychiatric condition were granted effective February 27, 2002.,Service connection was established based on the secondary nature of the psychiatric condition to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with sciatic nerve impairment, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 26, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and higher ratings for various conditions, except for the left foot disability. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2023 and at 20 percent from that date. The left ankle fracture and dislocation are currently rated at 20 percent. The left hip strain with arthritis and right hip strain with arthritis remain rated at 20 percent each. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with knee instability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2023 and remains rated at 40 percent from that date.,The Board has remanded the cases of left hip strain with arthritis and right hip strain with arthritis for additional examination. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with knee instability is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, back disability, and left ankle disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA examinations and any private treatment records.