Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in a previous medical opinion regarding direct service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability and scoliosis. The Veteran's back pain was reported prior to separation from service, and he had a diagnosis of scoliosis during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lower back condition with left leg condition, and respiratory condition (including obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis) due to a lack of adequate medical examination or opinion. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination, and adjudicate her claim for allergic rhinitis on a direct basis and under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding bilateral athlete's foot and consideration of newly submitted evidence. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service or any event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups at VA examinations conducted in February 2008, January 2010, April 2011, January 2013, and February 2016.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with IVDS is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent, as they do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted after the initial SOC and before transfer to the Board. Therefore, the case must be remanded for readjudication considering all new evidence.

The Board has restored the 20 percent evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and hypertensive vascular disease due to new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent rating for his lower back condition, effective June 25, 2018, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and unspecified anxiety disorder are granted service connection, while the Veteran's hernia, IBS, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including a group I muscle injury and lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint pain, and knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of her conditions. The claims will be adjudicated based on the new evidence provided by the addendum opinions.

A rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability is granted from April 21, 2009 to July 1, 2013.,Effective March 14, 2023, a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

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.