Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected back and left ankle disabilities result in loss of use of the left lower extremity, allowing her to be eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if his back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from August 22, 2019 to August 28, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this period and for left lower extremity radiculopathy remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and neck disability due to inadequate development of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar and cervical spine conditions are remanded for further evaluation due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board denied service connection for left patellofemoral pain syndrome and a low back condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis, a left foot disability, and a back condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is required to provide new examinations or opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination findings regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete range of motion assessments in his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous medical opinion and the need for another opinion addressing whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service injuries and symptoms will be considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and back disability, as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability due to inadequate etiology opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back and neck disabilities has been granted. For the period from October 8, 2015 to June 12, 2016, he is entitled to a 40 percent rating for his back disability. For other periods, including from October 8, 2015 to February 9, 2020 and from April 1, 2020, the Veteran's claim was denied as his disabilities did not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran is also granted a 40 percent rating for his neck disability starting November 17, 2020.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous VA opinions and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a back condition was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and a back disorder due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left thumb condition, low back disability, right lower extremity condition, and left lower extremity condition due to failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for fatty liver, low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, bilateral athlete's foot, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder have all been denied. The issues of service connection for right and left hip disorders and right and left ankle disorders are being remanded.