Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for hip disabilities, as well as a remand for a back disability, is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar strain, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right and left ankle strains due to inconsistencies in the May 2019 VA examination reports regarding flare-ups and range of motion loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation, as well as the impact of medications on employment.

The Board has denied service connection for OSA and remanded the issue of aggravation of low back disorder by service-connected knee and/or left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for reopening of previously denied service connection claims are remanded due to missing documents. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain and associate these missing documents with the Veteran's claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and denied service connection for all other conditions, including lung disability, upper extremity disorders, lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, kidney stones, benign prostate hypertrophy, low back disorder, hip disorders, and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the appellant's service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, hypertension, and PTSD. The appeals were also dismissed regarding rating decisions and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected mechanical low back pain is remanded due to inadequate medical examinations that did not account for flare-ups and neurological manifestations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and review of all relevant evidence, including recent VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his lumbar spine disability and patellar tendinitis, as well as rating adjustments for his low back disability.

The Veteran's GERD and back disability are remanded for further examination, while the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy ratings remain under review.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition (claimed as back inflammation) and left upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied the claims of service connection for upper respiratory infections, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis. The Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal regarding a disability rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's back disability, including clarification of his diagnoses and consideration of functional impairment without medication. The TDIU claim is also remanded for further review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 12, 2020. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of hearing loss, left shin splints, right shin splints, and low back disability.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining CVs of VA examiners who conducted previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder had its onset during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted, as well as the right ankle condition secondary claim. The Veteran will receive an SOC in response to his NOD.

The Veteran's right great ingrown toenail is not rated higher than noncompensable.,For the appeal period prior to October 24, 2019, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied.,For the appeal period from December 1, 2020, a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's left ingrown toenail and thoracolumbar spine condition are not service-connected.,Service connection cannot be established for the Veteran's left ingrown toenail or thoracolumbar spine condition.