Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including postgastrectomy syndrome and thoracic spine strain. The claims are being remanded because of procedural errors in previous decisions and the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, herniated disc of the lumbar spine with low back pain, radiculopathy left lower extremity, and radiculopathy right lower extremity. The issues related to these conditions have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total evaluation due to back surgery, as a new VA medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his lower back condition.

The Veteran's back disability is found to have started during service and continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent from June 25, 2018 to July 16, 2022. This rating is based on the criteria for a higher evaluation due to significant limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand, knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and enduring exposure to combat operations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, migraine headache disorder secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and hemorrhoids secondary to IBS. The issues are all related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The left elbow, right femur fracture residuals, and left knee degenerative arthritis cases are also remanded due to the Veteran's testimony of increased severity since the last VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for low blood platelets. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as clarification of certain procedural matters. The issues include evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, TBI residuals, low back disability, knee disabilities, right hand and finger disability, dermatitis, onychomycosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right hip, and left hip disorders due to potential aggravation by service-connected knee disabilities. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder).

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability prior to May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for his neck disability prior to May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for his back disability from May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for his neck disability from May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar disorder, as there are inconsistencies in the previous opinions provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent hip, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities is granted. Service connection for COPD is also granted due to environmental toxin exposure in Southwest Asia. The right hip disability claim has been reopened, but further evidence is needed regarding the treatment received during active service.

The Board has decided the claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, back disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of chronic sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of chronic osteomyelitis or near constant sinusitis with purulent discharge. For the back and right shoulder disabilities, the Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions and records. The issues of increases in ratings for various lower extremity radiculopathies and a TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for new retrospective opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and right elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.,Service connection was also not granted for residuals of gall bladder removal and allergic rhinitis.