Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand orders and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine stenosis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's right knee disability with limitation of extension is not rated higher than the currently assigned 20 percent prior to January 7, 2021 and noncompensable since that date.,The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability with limitation of extension is not rated higher than the currently assigned 10 percent.,The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.,The Veteran's low back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the presence of a margin of error in audiometric testing.,The Veteran's radiculopathy and back conditions are remanded for additional examination to address flare-ups, functional impairment during flare-ups, and whether they meet the criteria for ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were denied. The effective date of the increased rating for back disability was not earlier than July 31, 2018. Service connection claims for TBI, muscle contraction headaches with small vascular component, PTSD, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete record development regarding his cervical spine disability, memory loss, and fatigue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection, and an initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. Service connection for varicocele is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, left hand, low back disability, vocal cord polyps (claimed as upper respiratory problems), and allergic rhinitis are granted. The claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to new evidence received.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral heel spurs are remanded due to new evidence received.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis from August 1, 2022, is granted pursuant to the PACT Act. The effective date of this award is August 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination and missing private treatment records. The Veteran's recurrent hemorrhoids, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's ankle and back disabilities are being remanded for new examinations to assess their current severity, as the evidence suggests they have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2020. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded due to its connection with the ankle and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate etiology opinion and a need for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded for a new examination to assess their current severity.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is also being remanded for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied a higher rating for lumbar spine spondylosis and remanded the right knee issue due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, SMP-AA/HB, and SMC prior to February 3, 2023 are remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle sprain is secondary or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. Additionally, the codesheet needs to be corrected to reflect the right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations for her back, hips, feet, and anxiety disorders.