Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, specifically her acute lumbar strain, DDD, DJD, and facet arthropathy. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or any non-service-related factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's duty status during her claimed injury on federalized National Guard service in September 1991. The claim will be reconsidered with further information.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his lumbosacral degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 1, 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete examination reports, and the need for additional examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and left knee symptoms, have been granted. The rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been increased to 30 percent effective from April 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's back and hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. The AOJ must obtain new opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new, adequate evaluations of his low back disability, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claim due to an inadequate examination and requests for updated treatment records and a new examination.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as a back strain. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to October 31, 2003, for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and PTSD, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's lower back degenerative condition is secondary to his service-connected knee disability. The claim for neuropathy of the left leg will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the lower back claim.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including assessing the severity of flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hip condition, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted a 20% rating for the period prior to July 29, 2009. For the periods from July 29, 2009, to November 2, 2015, January 31, 2018, to September 15, 2020, and September 15, 2020 onward, a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, heart, gastrointestinal, lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right leg, and low back disabilities as they are considered to have onset during his active military service.