Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, scar removal of cyst on buttocks, squamous cell carcinoma, back disability, and epididymitis have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) has also been denied.,However, the claim for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a tailbone injury, left hip disorder, and low back disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The RO is instructed to obtain missing service treatment records and provide new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle, knee, and low back disabilities as well as headaches secondary to PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.,Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a bilateral ankle disability, whether it began during service, and its relationship to his active duty.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability existed prior to service and whether any increase in severity during service was due to natural progression.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar degenerative disc disease with thoracic degenerative disc disease and associated lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's disability ratings and TDIU claim due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA records may provide evidence of worsening in the Veteran's back and right ankle disabilities, which could affect these claims.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right shoulder DJD and cervical spine DDD have been granted at 20% and 20%, respectively, effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD has been rated at 20 percent prior to January 25, 2021 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD continues to be rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to obesity and its impact on erectile dysfunction, gout in feet, cervical disc condition, low back condition, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is alleged to have caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine strain and left knee strain, but denied service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and migraines. The case is remanded for further development regarding WPW syndrome and right foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran requires assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition with secondary right hip and leg pain is remanded due to new evidence received since the February 2005 denial. The claim for seg and somatic dysfunction of the pelvis, as secondary to a back condition, is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine based on a finding that the Veteran experienced chronic symptoms during service and continuous symptoms since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's in-service fall and subsequent complaints need to be addressed by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability rating for his back disability has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, left foot disability, and back disability. The appeals have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions for his acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the veteran's conditions, including hemorrhoids and rhinitis. The VA treatment records need to be obtained as they were scanned into a system but not copied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his military service. The left shoulder condition claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for both conditions will be evaluated again based on new evidence provided since the previous denial.