Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the nature and severity of his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, and right shoulder acromioclavicular arthrosis during the entire claims period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and eye disorders. The appeal is being returned to the RO to attempt to obtain records from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including dental condition, sinusitis, hand and wrist disabilities, foot conditions, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations in 2014, 2018, and 2020. A new retrospective examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are granted with a 20 percent rating each, effective from the date of the initial claim. The earlier effective date for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine receiving a 40% rating since October 17, 2016, and the radiculopathies receiving 20% ratings for RLE and LLE prior to February 6, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right foot, low back, and right knee disorders due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of proper notification for a VA examination. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and examination reports. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, hypertension, and gastrointestinal condition are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to March 17, 2014, and thus the claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability has been granted. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to new and material evidence, including VA examination reports and medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD with strain prior to August 13, 2021. The matter of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 40 percent from that date is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and back disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder. The appeals for bilateral ankle disorder and left varicocele are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back and neck conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his condition. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion from an appropriate specialist.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for PTSD, as well as an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD, was denied. The Veteran also had his SMC based on anatomical loss or loss of use claim denied.