Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions due to a lack of evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination at the time of the decision on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which is a factor in developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA examiner must consider and discuss each specific service-connected disability and the potential individual and collective impacts of toxic exposure risk activities on his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back syndrome) did not begin or be aggravated during his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and lumbosacral sprain/strain are all found to be related to his active service.

Service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right ankle distal fibula fracture is granted. The Board also found that service connection should be granted for a back disability and a right ankle deltoid ligament sprain, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and pes planus due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a new VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's back disability is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of various spinal conditions and radiculopathies as untimely, given that a supplemental claim was filed while another review request was still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as the requirement for such is attributed to non-service-connected back pain. As a result, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has determined that the development previously ordered by the June 2018 remand is still necessary to adjudicate the appeals. As such, this case is being returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability has been granted. The remaining issues on appeal, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with atrial fibrillation and erectile dysfunction, lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU prior to February 24, 2021, are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for his service-connected back disability is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the adequacy of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and headache disorder due to conflicting opinions regarding their relationship with service-connected fibromyalgia, PTSD, and potential toxic exposure. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected disabilities or related to toxic exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes and has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for left wrist disability is reopened but denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a coccyx disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, effective April 15, 2011. The rating for right leg sciatica was granted at 20 percent as of September 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination after the Veteran's second surgery, and the need for a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia has been granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity shin splints, and left lower extremity shin splints due to lack of a fully adequate VA examination.