Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as back, right hip, chronic fatigue syndrome, and headache disorders. The issues are remanded due to need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as of January 28, 2014. However, the issues regarding temporomandibular joint disease, gout, back disability, and residual injury of the left leg that required 16 stitches are remanded due to outstanding medical records from Walter Reed Medical Center.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including low back condition, cervical spine condition, knee conditions, shoulder conditions, peripheral neuropathy, and thyroid condition. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his low back disorder is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for an increased rating of tension headaches has also been granted, with a 30 percent disability rating.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability remains pending as it is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's contentions are being reviewed with an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's detached retina with decreased vision began during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to her in-service MST, including PTSD, bladder disability, gynecological condition, right ankle disability, and lower back disability. The VA is directed to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations as needed.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back disability, OSA, and GI disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Regional Office is required to obtain new opinions from a VA examiner that consider the Veteran's lay statements and military duties.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left foot disability, right hand disability, and right knee disability due to a full grant of benefits in a February 2021 rating decision. The appeals regarding obstructive sleep apnea and lower back disability are remanded.

The appeal for an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn. The appeals for the left ankle, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various shoulder and knee conditions, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and an effective date for hearing loss. Additional evidence was added since the last rating decision but not considered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for personality disorder, eating disorder, left and right ankle conditions with OA, right and left knee conditions with OA, OSA, hip strains, lumbar spine DDD, and neuropathy of the lower extremities. The reasons for remand include obtaining additional opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities and whether they are related to service-connected disabilities or obesity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing medical examination records and lack of attendance at scheduled appointments. The Veteran's psychiatric and low back conditions will need to be evaluated again.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, heart murmur, asthma, and eczema. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records, need for a new VA examination, and the need to adjudicate TDIU and SMC claims.