Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and TDIU due to inadequate reasons and bases in the January 2020 VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection. The issues are intertwined as they could significantly impact each other.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from March 19, 2015, through June 7, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are not adequate for rating purposes and requires a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar strain, radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and radiculopathy (left lower extremity).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an upper back condition, right and left upper extremity parasthesia due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, including secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The evidence did not support a finding that the current low back condition was caused by any incident of service or his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability and acquired psychiatric disability due to service, including PTSD and depression. The VA will conduct further examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and respiratory disabilities due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's left and right elbow disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners supported the denial, citing lack of chronicity during or after service and alternative causes such as post-service work activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to new evidence not having been considered in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with DJD and osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a TDIU rating due to a single service-connected disability, and SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent since specific dates, with some issues having higher or different ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a misunderstanding of the Veteran's military service history and the presence of certain back conditions. The VA examiner needs to provide new opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and missing records. Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability, including flare-ups and functional loss during flares. Additionally, a retrospective assessment of his employability is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision disability have been dismissed. Her back disability has been granted service connection. The remaining issues of left knee tendonitis with knee instability, right knee tendonitis with knee instability, skin condition, and acid reflux are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, lower back disability, and neuropathy of each extremity due to a lack of VA examinations and outstanding private treatment records.