Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with myofascial pain syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis limited extension, left hip osteoarthritis limited extension, right hip osteoarthritis limited flexion, left hip osteoarthritis painful motion, left hip osteoarthritis limited adduction and abduction, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right sural nerve radiculopathy are being REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right hip disabilities, and a femoral acetabular impingement syndrome of the left hip. The issues include rating claims for various hip and back conditions, as well as the propriety in reducing the Veteran's rating for his left hip condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to allow for a review of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete review of flare-ups in the Veteran's back disability, and a new TDIU examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide a reasoned medical explanation. The issues include left knee, bilateral hip, bilateral leg, back, gastrointestinal, and hypertension disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions in prior examinations and a need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment effective April 22, 2023.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to locate the Veteran's missing service treatment records, which are crucial for determining whether his low back condition and bilateral foot/ankle conditions were incurred in or caused by his military service. The AOJ must make a final attempt to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his right hip disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and that there was no evidence of an inability to perform sedentary employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and factual inaccuracies in some opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA), headache condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's March 14, 2014, VA Form 9 was timely filed and reinstated the appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective May 5, 2013. The VA has also granted increased ratings for his spine and radiculopathy conditions.

The Board has remanded five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, and hip disabilities, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. The VA will obtain addendum opinions to address the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, a painful irritable eye condition, sleep disturbance with mild apnea, headaches, left knee pain, right knee pain, neck pain, numbness and light headedness, right ankle pain, right hip disability, stomach issues (GERD and gastroparesis), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and hearing loss. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and migraine disorders. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disability, including DISH, degenerative arthritis and DDD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that secondary service connection could not be established due to lack of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and left knee disabilities, as well as SMC at the housebound rate prior to October 29, 2018. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations and a determination regarding TDIU must be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions were also denied. The decision does not provide a specific rating assigned or effective date.