Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current condition. The Veteran reported an injury during cadet training, but no records support this and he did not seek treatment at the time.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain was granted, with the highest available rating of 40 percent being assigned. The case is remanded for further development regarding total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, right hip, left hip, thoracolumbar spine disorder (previously claimed as a spinal injury), and cervical spine disorder (previously claimed as a spinal injury).

The Veteran's low back strain is granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to January 11, 2021 and denied for increased ratings thereafter. Service connection for COPD was denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as numbness), left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as numbness), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right knee disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for left knee disability (claimed as chronic knee strain post fracture of the left lateral femoral condyle) is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right shin splint disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for left shin splint disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right wrist disability is reopened.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since March 19, 2021. The rating was granted as the condition has been manifested with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, which entitles the Veteran to an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back condition as they relate to obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities were denied because the submitted evidence did not provide a medical nexus between an in-service incident and their current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of functional equivalent of ankylosis and improper independent medical judgment in interpreting pain reports. Additional remand is needed for updated records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, left leg sciatica, and lumbar spine disability has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

Service connection is granted for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability. Service connection is denied for hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, varicose veins, and blood clots of the lower extremities.,The Veteran's service treatment records indicate an in-service left knee injury. A private medical opinion diagnosed a current left knee disability and opined that it was related to the in-service injury. The July 2017 VA examination indicated no relationship between the left knee disability and service, but this is not considered as the August 2022 private medical opinion is more persuasive.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his in-service duties.

All issues related to service connection have been either granted in full or finally denied by the Board without subsequent appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis and headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to August 10, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to be afforded another VA medical examination regarding her service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and cervical strain. The issues of entitlement to an increased disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for IVDS, lumbosacral, and service connection for cervical strain are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, and shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS and lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.