Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of his right shoulder condition, nature and etiology of his headaches, forehead scar, back condition, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there is no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examiner determined that the current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 7, 2020.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address range of motion testing, functional loss during flare-ups, and other relevant factors.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is rated at 20% since July 29, 2006. The current rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine remains at 20% from October 24, 2017.,Prior to April 21, 2023, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied. From April 21, 2023, the matter is moot as a 100% schedular rating has been assigned with entitlement to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates for service connection for degenerative changes of the right hip and left hip are also being addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to questions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is equivalent to ankylosis during flare-ups, passive range of motion, or repetitive use testing due to pain. The AOJ will need to review additional evidence and provide a new rating decision.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary to obtain a proper medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition, as well as his spina bifida occulta and lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. The examiner must determine if there was any increase in disability during service or if any increase was due to natural progress of preexisting conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a low back disability, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for color blindness, right shoulder disability, and back disability due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional records.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability, right ankle disability, and left shoulder disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is considered pre-existing.,Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's right shoulder disability due to his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, as there is at least a reasonable doubt about its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claim for nonservice-connected pension (NSP) for the period from October 31, 2012, to January 21, 2013 due to insufficient development following prior remands. The Veteran's income and countable income during this period need to be documented.

Throughout the period on appeal, the Veteran's cervical spine disability warrants an initial rating of 20 percent. The low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to July 21, 2023, and at 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability secondary to his right knee disability has been granted.,However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or due to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and authorization issues. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, peripheral nerve disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all in question.

The Veteran's left ankle strain and degenerative joint disease of the left first metatarsal are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings allowed under current regulations.,The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy and compression parasthesia associated with lumbosacral strain since March 17, 2023 is also rated at 10 percent.