Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a back disability. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health disorder not already service-connected.

All appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his low back, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating were denied. The Veteran was granted a one-month temporary total rating for convalescence, but his claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and scar status post spinal fusion remain denied.

The reduction of the rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with left S1 radiculopathy from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective July 1, 2018, was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to April 28, 2015 and granted a TDIU from February 1, 2010 onwards. The decision also noted that the Veteran's combined rating was at or above 70% throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations. The Veteran served in Vietnam during combat.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn, and no new evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim. The Board found that the additional evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for a right shoulder disorder due to inadequate examination results, specifically failing to provide range of motion testing in active and passive motions as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. The Veteran is to be scheduled for another VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left hip osteoarthritis (claimed as dysplasia) are being remanded due to a lack of medical records from 1986. The RO is instructed to seek these records, provide addendum opinions if obtained, and notify the Veteran of any further attempts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and respiratory condition due to potential exposure to burn pits during his service in Afghanistan. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to burn pits under the PACT Act, and VA must provide an examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current disabilities related to this exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, ruling out any chronicity or continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's current pain is not related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a left leg disorder as secondary to the service-connected back disorder. The VA examiner found no evidence of radiculopathy and noted that the Veteran had multiple risk factors for osteoarthritis, including obesity and alcohol use.,The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disorder. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence to support that the right ankle problem was primarily caused by the left ankle.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, lung disorder, and nasal disorder are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board has also found that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the potential relationship between the appellant's nasal disorders and her period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded several rating decisions and service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA examination and treatment records since April 2019. The Veteran is advised to submit a waiver for these records or have them considered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease due to missing service treatment records. Further efforts should be made to obtain these records from his Army National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted since the April 1982 denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and headaches, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disorder, have been remanded by the Board due to additional development being required.