Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions and unclear reasoning regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a stay regarding naval service and presumed herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for DM and CV disorder are impacted by the Federal Circuit's decision in Procopio v. Wilkie, which expanded the definition of 'service in the Republic of Vietnam' to include the territorial sea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected pes planus. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his range of motion and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect statement of fact in the medical opinion provided by the Veteran's treating non-VA chiropractor. The clinician must address whether the fact that the chiropractor also reviewed the Veteran’s military records changes his opinion on the nexus between the current low back disability and the in-service lifting injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's scoliosis and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (zero percent) due to the severity of his symptoms not meeting criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The updated VA examinations did not show any additional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Left knee limitation of flexion is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Right knee limitation of flexion is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Left knee limitation of extension is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision and for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a TDIU examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease with herniated discs and bilateral foraminal stenosis, as well as associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and lower back disability for further development. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is not considered a full grant, as he did not explicitly state his satisfaction with the 30 percent evaluation. For the lower back disability, the Board found that the VA examination was incomplete and requested an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Board will consider whether in-service noise exposure caused or aggravated his current hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's current hypertension had its clinical onset during her period of active duty service, and the Board finds that service connection for hypertension is warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Obesity is not considered a disease or injury for which service connection may be established.,Service connection for hypertension and fibromyalgia are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions, requiring further examination and analysis.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is also remanded as the claim was not addressed in detail previously.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending with additional development needed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as urinary incontinence associated with these conditions. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral feet condition, and right hand condition due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, as well as addressing the conflicting evidence of arthritis in both feet versus no arthritis found on recent x-rays. The issues include entitlement to service connection for various conditions such as sleep apnea, foot disabilities, TBI residuals, headaches, PTSD, and increased ratings for sarcoidosis and back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination details regarding flare-ups and pain, as well as issues with range of motion testing. The Veteran's disability ratings for his low back condition are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right upper extremity thoracic outlet syndrome, and left upper extremity thoracic outlet syndrome. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current level of severity of his disabilities and to provide opinions on whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from maintaining gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is restored to a 40 percent rating effective June 1, 2018. The Veteran's headache and acquired psychiatric disabilities are each granted increased ratings of 50 percent.