Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and associated radiculopathies due to incomplete examination findings. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a TDIU determination based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and posterior tibial tendonitis, is granted a separate rating of 20 percent. Service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with mast cell activation disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right-hand disability, left-hand disability, and POTS are all granted. Service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition and its relationship to his service-connected left foot condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate opinion from a clinician that considers the Veteran's lay history, prior medical records, and relevant literature.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar osteoporotic bones with scattered degenerative changes, left and right sciatic nerve disabilities due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between her current back disorders and an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service. The case is sent back for a new opinion.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.,The issue of an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability prior to November 1, 2015, and a higher initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to unclear evidence from previous examinations.,Service connection for OSA is also remanded as secondary to service-connected low back disability and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 40 percent effective November 9, 2020.,The Veteran's lost left hip flexion and abduction/adduction are both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition first arose during his active service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, including the claims for service connection for a neck disability and increased rating claims for various disabilities. The Board dismissed all remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with the October 2020 remand directives. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a new VA addendum opinion addressing her claims.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for low back disability, finding that it is aggravated by pre-existing service-connected knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar strain disability from April 25, 2012 to December 6, 2015 and for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition from December 7, 2015. He also withdrew his claim for TDIU prior to October 21, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, left knee instability, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, characterized as degenerative arthritis, spondylosis, spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for increased ratings for right tibia stress fracture and left tibia stress fracture are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability and whether arthritis of the spine manifested within one year of separation from active duty. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also being considered in relation to his lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Barrett's Esophagus, severance of prior grants of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine, and whether GAD should be severed from service. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions were aggravated by INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, including whether it is related to service. The same applies to his left hip disability. These issues are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and remands for further evaluation of his PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating prior to November 4, 2019. From that date, the claim for an increased rating is denied. Service connection for spina bifida was also denied.