Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for a back disability must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including incomplete verification of periods of active duty and reserve service, lack of complete service treatment records, and need for an additional VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current back disability.

The Board has decided to readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition. However, due to an inadequate VA examination, the case is being remanded for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back condition was related to being trampled on during basic training.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disability, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, efforts should be made to obtain Reserve records related to the Veteran's treatment in San Diego.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, tinnitus, right knee strain, left knee status post arthroscopy, and bilateral flat feet. The claims for service connection for these conditions are all considered to be direct service connections based on evidence of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and lower back conditions have been readjudicated, but the RO/AOJ did not consider the need for a medical examination or opinion. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant records from workers' compensation and private medical providers.

The appeal is denied as the October 2020 rating decision that adjusted the effective date for the Veteran's increased disability rating was proper, and service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, status post discectomy and fusion remains valid.

The Veteran's initial claim for a respiratory disability, thoracolumbar DJD, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted. The Veteran is now entitled to a 10 percent rating for his restrictive lung disease, a 20 percent rating prior to September 5, 2020, and an initial 40 percent rating from November 24, 2015, to September 5, 2020, for his thoracolumbar DJD. He is also entitled to separate 10 percent ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to November 24, 2015, and an initial 40 percent rating from that date to September 5, 2020, and a greater than 40 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the VA did not make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant private medical records, including from the Pine Bluff Arsenal. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee and upper back conditions did not begin during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and thus, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 12, 2021. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU from March 12, 2021 have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions. The issues include back pain, bilateral knee disabilities, chronic allergies, chronic bronchitis, and bilateral foot conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating and TDIU have been dismissed as the issues are pending in a legacy appeal system.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for lumbosacral strain was not proper and granted the appeal. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is secondary to her service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal of asthma and anxiety was withdrawn.,The Veteran's skin rash of the groin, CFS, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral strain claims were granted.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Board has found that the VA examinations for the Veteran's back disability and right hand disability are inadequate, leading to a remand for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in obtaining a medical examination prior to making a decision on service connection for a back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The specific disabilities are lung disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability (claimed as Morton's neuroma with hammer toes and foot tumor pain), and right foot disability (claimed as Morton's neuroma with hammer toes and foot tumor pain).