Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for mid and low back disability and right knee disability due to their resolution in favor of the Veteran. The claims for left foot numbness and right foot numbness are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, including his duties as a lineman.

The Board has found that additional development is needed and the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded. The Veteran needs to be provided with new VA examinations to assess his current severity of service-connected IVDS with spondylolisthesis and DDD, as well as GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a now service-connected back disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also considered service connected.,The decision does not specify any particular exposure basis or indicate that the appeal was related to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and knee conditions, did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 22, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that substantial compliance with the August 2021 remand directives has not been achieved, and therefore, the claims for service connection are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the neck is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.,The Veteran's PTSD rating is also denied, with a 70% disability rating already in place and maintained.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the December 2019 VA examination and the need for clarification on the Veteran's flare-ups and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's PTSD and back disability. The increased rating claims are remanded pending the RO's rating assignments.

The Veteran's back disability rated at 40% is not sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as his education and occupational experience do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is granted as service connection was established due to aggravation during active service.,Service connection for a low back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.,Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to delays in obtaining necessary examinations and information from the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a service connection claim for low back disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome is granted. Service connection for bowel disturbance with abdominal distress as an undiagnosed illness (previously claimed as IBS) and service connection for a low back disability are both remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 22, 2018.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 30 rating, while the issues of service connection for right ankle disability and radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a heart disability other than hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease diagnosis in the record.