Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The matter is being sent back for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, neck, left knee, tinnitus, and sleep-related disabilities due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that her current chronic back pain was not incurred during or caused by her period of active service.

The Veteran's asthma, hypertension, neck disability, back disability, and laparoscopic residuals claims are remanded for additional development. The Board finds the evidence meets the McLendon criteria to obtain VA examinations for her hypertension, neck disability, back disability, and laparoscopic residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot disorder due to incomplete development as a result of the inability to verify the Veteran's current address. The Veteran was provided updated contact information but did not attend the VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing adequate opinions.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective March 18, 2015. The rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 20 percent from November 14, 2022.,A separate rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from November 14, 2022.,The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent respectively. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA medical examination and treatment records. The Veteran's upper back disability is related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the right shoulder and cervical spine disability ratings, as well as the TDIU rating. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient reasoning in a prior decision regarding his claimed in-service assault and its impact on his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 3, 2013, to April 3, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acne, herpes, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, esophageal reflux, tinea versicolor, insomnia, and stress incontinence due to additional VA treatment records being added to her case file.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right ankle, and right shoulder disabilities as well as back disability due to the lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA medical examinations and failure to comply with previous remand orders. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and lung disabilities, finding no current diagnosed conditions or functional impairment.