Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for OSA and a low back disorder. The claim of left ankle achilles tendonitis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for hernia, psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression), low back condition, head injury residuals, migraine headaches, left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,An effective date earlier than January 10, 2017, is denied for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the opinions provided regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain and joint and muscle pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, and the Board has remanded this issue. The initial rating for jaw fracture with TMJ is granted at 40 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disabilities and associated radiculopathy is being remanded due to procedural defects and the need for a retrospective medical assessment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after the last AOJ action in October 2020. The Veteran and their representative are required to be provided a supplemental statement of the case addressing the issues of increased ratings for left knee extension, flexion, and instability, as well as service connection for right knee and lower back disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his PFB and bilateral hearing loss have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's scars from vein stripping are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding higher ratings for degenerative lumbar spine disease, radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity. The appeal for TDIU was also dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for a skin disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left foot disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his knee, hip, shoulder, and lumbar conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, neck, and back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for various other disabilities. The decision also denies ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar spine DJD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and bilateral hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension were restored to their previous levels due to improper reduction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim but remands it for further development as an additional VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to incomplete development and lack of adequate medical nexus opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection of his low back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions from VA examiners.