Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fracture of the right thumb and mechanical low back pain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has found that remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and bilateral foot condition. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's left third toe disorder is not service-connected as it did not have its onset during his period of honorable service and is not etiologically related to his period of honorable service.,Bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, but the extent of aggravation beyond its natural progression is unclear due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a bilateral ankle condition, a back condition (including sciatica and low back pain), obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot disability, and back disability claims are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, left and right ankle conditions, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left and right knee conditions has been remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spondylosis with lumbosacral strain and IVDS symptoms were rated at 20 percent prior to February 24, 2022. From February 24, 2022, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, as new evidence shows he has a current diagnosis of unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, major neurocognitive disorder secondary to TBI/gunshot wound to the head, substance abuse disorder, and PTSD.,The Veteran's right elbow disability was reopened, as new evidence suggests it may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The claims file was updated with recent treatment records, and the Veteran was asked to provide a new VA Form 21-8940 and release of medical information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, a sinus disability due to asbestos exposure, right and left shoulder disabilities, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability. The remand is due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, as the previous examinations did not provide sufficient information on loss of range of motion during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of her disability. Her TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its interrelated nature with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The Board also denied an initial compensable evaluation and a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 19, 2022.,The Veteran's lay statements were not given significant weight as he is not competent to provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of his low back condition. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct link between his service and his current low back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is granted as it is secondary to a fall during active duty. The claims for left ear hearing loss, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left elbow disability, middle back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability are denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence, including service treatment records and VA contract examinations, must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete employment information. The issues include rating increases for low back disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted from November 1, 2017 through May 6, 2022. The Board finds remand necessary for a Sharp compliant examination and opinion regarding the back disability, as well as an assessment of functional ankylosis. Additionally, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also remanded.