Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that further evaluations are needed for the Veteran's hip, lumbosacral spine, left knee, and tinea corporis disabilities due to incomplete examination reports. The claims of service connection for right and left hip disabilities, increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability, and a compensable rating for tinea corporis are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining retrospective opinions on the severity of the disability throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities due to a lack of service medical records. The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran had pre-existing left shoulder and back disabilities, but needs further clarification on whether these conditions were aggravated during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence and a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, but the claim for TDIU is remanded due to lack of information from the Veteran's employer.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease were denied.,Effective July 26, 2022, the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition due to evidence suggesting worsening and material changes since the last VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disturbances, a disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, and higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee scar, and lumbar spine arthritis. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further development, including obtaining additional STRs from Salerno, Afghanistan in 2012.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding reductions in disability evaluations and denials of higher evaluations for lumbosacral spondylosis, DDD of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential Gulf War exposure, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his symptoms are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his treatment during service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back disability) as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted prior to August 10, 2022. The appeal regarding the lumbosacral strain (low back disability), left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee instability, and right knee instability issues remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral heel/foot condition, depression, and chronic sinus/allergy disorder have been granted. The right lower extremity disability associated with the lumbar spine has been remanded. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, including as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches. The VA examinations provided were deemed inadequate due to a lack of review of relevant medical records and incomplete physical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as secondary to his service-connected Achille's tendon rupture, tinea pedis, and bilateral knee strain. The remand requires an addendum opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.