Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted increased ratings, while left lower extremity radiculopathy had its rating restored. The dental disorder case remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizo-affective disorder, depressed type and a chronic back disorder due to additional development of medical records and obtaining opinions from VA evaluators.

The Board has granted service connection for shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, right and left shoulders, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's bilateral shin splints claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for his bilateral knee and back disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional retrospective medical opinions.

The Veteran's IBS and pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted service connection. The cervical spine/neck disability, lumbar spine/low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity secondary to the lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed as withdrawn. The claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, left shoulder arthralgia, right shoulder arthralgia, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis are remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (previously claimed as right and left leg conditions), right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities are related to their service, as previous opinions did not adequately address the Veteran's statements regarding combat duties.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with L1 compression fracture was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to March 31, 2010 and 40 percent after that date. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's left knee strain with internal derangement and right knee strain with internal derangement are granted a rating of 10 percent each, effective June 8, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy is granted a rating of 10 percent each for the left and right lower extremities, effective prior to April 26, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 120 degrees, or muscle spasm resulting in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, which are required for a higher rating under the General Formula.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection for various knee and spine disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated medical records from private providers and to provide VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain prior to April 29, 2016 and from April 29, 2016 due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo a new examination to assess his functional ability during flares.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for remanding the claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. Additional examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of asthma, heart murmur with calcified aortic valve, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The effective dates for these awards are not earlier than September 16, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine disability other than the already service-connected lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The Veteran will need new VA examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with stenosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a right hip condition, menstrual disorder, and bilateral pes planus are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his headaches, sleep apnea, and left leg disability.