Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for a back condition, including as secondary to left testicle chronic epididymitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and right hip disability due to inadequate opinions from previous examiners. The new examination is required to provide informed decisions on these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain as documented at the December 2017 VA examination. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain prior to July 10, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports. The issues include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney conditions, gallbladder conditions, appendix conditions, sinusitis, erectile dysfunction, and eye problems. These matters will be addressed by new medical opinions regarding exposure at Pease Air Force Base.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted an initial rating of 40 percent from September 28, 2007, through May 26, 2010. From May 27, 2010, through January 14, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability is denied.,A 30 percent initial rating, but no higher, for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted.,A 20 percent initial rating, but no higher, for low back disability is granted.,Service connection for TBI residuals, photophobia, and dizziness are remanded.,An initial compensable disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of lumbosacral strain, status post-operative due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims in July 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities due to a new theory of entitlement raised by his representative, focusing on whether these conditions are related to his military duties as a heavy equipment operator.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for shin splints. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain are not rated higher than the current levels due to lack of evidence supporting more severe disability. Service connection for cervical spine and left wrist disabilities is denied as they are not attributable to active military service or arthritis manifest within one year post-service. The claim for a headache was previously denied, but new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals, including those for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, due to the appellant's authorized representative requesting withdrawals of all appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The current ratings are 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with IVDS.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. Service connection for neurological disorders of the lower and upper extremities is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination necessary to evaluate his increased rating claim, and thus remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examination. The presumption of soundness applies, and further development is needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected knee, ankle, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives and to ensure the Veteran is provided adequate opportunity to attend VA examinations.