Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for a retrospective medical examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back disability prior to August 8, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Board also found that a new examination is needed in several cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left fifth metatarsal disability, and mass on upper back due to inadequate opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran will need additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for vision loss, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder (arthritis to the entire joint system), obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), erectile dysfunction, and skin disorder due to new evidence added to his claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from February 13, 2013 to March 29, 2018. He was granted TDIU benefits for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied retroactive induction into a VR&E program for the reimbursement of education expenses incurred by the Veteran while pursuing a Master's degree in Accounting, finding that a Master's degree was not reasonably needed to achieve suitable employment.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spondylosis, patellofemoral pain syndrome right knee, left shoulder pain, and right hand fracture reconstruction are all being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 30, 2017, for the awards of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar strain are denied. The Board finds that remand is necessary due to lack of supporting evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, right and left knee conditions, hip and ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and other impairments, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease of sacroiliac is remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice for a VA examination, resulting in the Veteran not attending. The appeal will be returned to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back condition), left hip strain with painful motion, left knee strain, lateral collateral ligament of the left ankle, flexion limitation of the left thigh, and extension limitation of the left thigh due to a lack of definitive evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations for these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a current low back disability and its relation to service. The Veteran will need to provide medical records, and a VA examiner will be requested to determine if there is a connection between his service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to September 27, 2019 or from September 27, 2019 onwards.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability and back disability do not meet the criteria for service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's dizziness has been granted service connection and a rating of 10 percent is assigned.,A 40 percent rating for lumbosacral spine DDD is granted throughout the appeal period, with forward flexion less than 30 degrees.,A 30 percent rating for cervical spine DDD is granted throughout the appeal period, with forward flexion less than 15 degrees.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 40 percent rating since October 19, 2022.

The Board has determined that the VA's development was inadequate and has ordered additional examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his back, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has decided that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further examination to determine if any currently diagnosed back disability was incurred in or is otherwise related to service, and whether it is caused by or aggravated by any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip joint replacement and impingement, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and a back condition. The Veteran's back condition is remanded for further evaluation.