Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for a back condition, including arthritis of the lumbar spine, due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating more than 10 percent for degenerative lumbar spine disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and IVDS was denied as the current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that his current condition did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there was no credible evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms post-separation. The Board also found the VA examiner's opinion to be most probative in determining that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is less likely related to his service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected, and the appeal for TDIU is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant skin neoplasms (claimed as basal cell carcinoma) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his GERD.

For the period prior to May 6, 2022, an initial evaluation of 40 percent for lumbar DDD was granted.,The appeal regarding right wrist and right ankle disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left ankle, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee conditions have been denied. The highest schedular ratings available under the applicable rating criteria are already in place.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted for the period from February 12, 2012 to October 10, 2022. The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability and evaluations of radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and effective dates due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's upper back, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, left foot, and bilateral hand disabilities are all under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is alleged to have aggravated his current hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted, while the claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's IBS symptoms have been rated at 30% since September 24, 2015. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for hysterectomy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lumbar disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging new VA examinations. The Veteran will be provided a supplemental statement of the case after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the cervical spine and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding private treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain, and left ankle strain due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran testified about flare-ups of his conditions but the examiners did not account for this in their assessments.

The Veteran's back disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to September 8, 2021. From September 8, 2021 forward, a 40 percent rating is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, but denied service connection for all other claimed conditions.,The Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is considered to be related to his active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, low back disability other than lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, and stomach disability other than chronic constipation and hemorrhoids.,There is no evidence of record showing that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.