Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion from a clinician to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and need for new VA medical opinions regarding her claimed orthopedic disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back condition due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is related to personal assault during service, but he was not provided notice regarding this requirement. For his low back condition, VA treatment records from 2008 were not obtained, and the examiner did not address the Veteran's contention that his current lumbosacral strain is related to in-service lifting heavy objects.

The Board has vacated its decision that remanded the issue of TDIU and dismissed it, as the Board does not have jurisdiction over this claim.

The Board has found that new evidence was submitted and the claims are being remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 23, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, so the cases are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include right hand, right wrist, back, left knee conditions and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability and paronychia, left great toe due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, low back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia were denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for PTSD was dismissed as the claim had already been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and a back condition, finding no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service and insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and low back condition have been granted, with the cases being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are still under appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to increase this rating. The issues of PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder, hypertension, degenerative disc disease with sciatica, TDIU prior to May 28, 2010, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service events are considered.

The Veteran's increased rating for mechanical low back pain is denied, but a separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from July 6, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had pre-existing back, foot, and knee conditions prior to her ACDUTRA period. The right ankle disorder is also suspected of having a pre-service origin. As such, these claims are being remanded for further evaluation.