Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there are incomplete records and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and bilateral foot condition are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent effective June 16, 2023. The issues of service connection for other spine disorders and radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar strain is remanded due to a lack of information regarding flare-ups and functional loss during such episodes.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for service connection for a back condition and bilateral knee disabilities in an October 2020 statement. The Board also noted that the Veteran has since been granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbar arthritis, status-post L5-S1 fusion is granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities are each granted a separate 20 percent rating for instability since February 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches, left hip sprain, right wrist disability, left-hand index finger disability, and low back disability due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide necessary medical evidence or attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and assessment of functional loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, left knee, sinusitis, and gastroenteritis disabilities due to lack of in-service treatment records and consideration of lay statements. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not provide a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM criteria.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent since December 22, 2022. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding migraines, lower back disability, and upper back disability require further development due to inadequate or inconsistent medical opinions in the existing records.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 8, 2018 for service connection of lumbosacral strain is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was denied in November 2013 and reopened in August 2018 with the assignment of a 10% rating effective August 8, 2018. The Board has also remanded the issue of an initial rating for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has decided the case is not final because there are unresolved issues regarding whether the Veteran's back condition was caused by his service-connected right knee condition. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the August 2009 VA examination report, specifically failing to address the Veteran's wife and son's lay statements regarding his lumbar spine disability. The examiner is asked to provide a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion, as well as addressing the etiology of his diagnosed radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to January 29, 2018 and 40 percent thereafter. The claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with degenerative arthritis and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a lack of recent private medical records, specifically from Dr. S.S., which may contain relevant information.