Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed low back, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The appeal is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2013, for the grant of service connection of migraine headaches has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for her migraines.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected migraine headaches remains denied as there are no additional symptoms or residuals that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of viral meningitis has been denied due to lack of evidence of a present disability and insufficient evidence linking any in-service incident to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left hand disability (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are both pending, with the issues remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left elbow injury (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral enthesopathy (claimed as shin pain) is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of polyuria is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of her lumbar spine disability, skin condition (claimed as tinea pedis and toenail fungus), and skin condition (claimed as acne) are all pending and have been remanded.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the Veteran's lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back degenerative joint disease and his left leg neuropathy, specifically whether it is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected knee condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his service. The examiner needs to provide a clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for back and left hip disabilities, finding that the conditions are related to in-service injuries. The decision also notes that there is no evidence of a presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, and back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and remanded his claims for increased rating for dry eye syndrome and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to the death of the appellant during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her lumbosacral strain (back disability). The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to re-enter the workforce and work in any substantially gainful capacity, considering his level of education, prior work experience, and training.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including a new medical opinion on whether ankylosis is present.

The Veteran's left leg venous insufficiency and lumbar spine disability are found to be related to his service-connected left femur fracture. The issues of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and skin conditions have been remanded for further examination.

An increased disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected back disability is granted from September 1, 2015 to April 15, 2021.,An increased disability rating higher than 20 percent for the service-connected back disability is denied from April 16, 2021 forward.,A separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability is granted for the entire rating period.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for right knee injury residuals, granted a separate rating for symptomatic right knee meniscectomy, and denied a higher rating for dorsolumbar myositis. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left eye occlusion and multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post laminectomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records from private healthcare providers and government agencies. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and rating issues have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.