Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and middle finger conditions, as well as low back and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are still pending and will be remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a bilateral foot condition are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examination opinions to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to service. The issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including retrospective medical opinions regarding range of motion findings and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, left knee, right knee, respiratory, and psychiatric disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal regarding higher evaluations for his lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathies in the lower extremities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from May 2, 2023, or any other issues raised.

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are granted a 50% disability evaluation effective May 23, 2023.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted a 30% disability evaluation since May 23, 2023.

The Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for disabilities of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine are dismissed.,An effective date earlier than December 1, 2017, for the award of service connection for residuals of a stroke is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for any time period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for a thoracolumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to TDIU prior to October 17, 2014. The Veteran was granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from October 17, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection, rating increases, and TDIU. The claims are REMANDED to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional development is needed to address the issues of secondary service connection for stomach disorder, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and residuals of right knee arthrotomy with a scar due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of relevant evidence. The case must be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% disability rating effective April 10, 1999. The initial 50% rating for lumbosacral strain remains unchanged. Service connection for endometriosis with partial resection of the cervix and fibrocystic breast disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain and right shoulder disorder, including obtaining a new examination to assess the extent of his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain and right wrist pain, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which is related to his service-connected medial neuropathy of the right hand/carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his TDIU claim.