Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and a lumbar spine disability have been granted. The claim for respiratory disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings of lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and associated peripheral neuropathy. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, effective June 24, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was improper, and restored service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to a pre-decisional error in not addressing the Veteran's theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and patellofemoral pain syndrome of each knee, with a rating of 10 percent each. The decision is based on the merits and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, ED, right knee disability, neck disability, upper back disability, and low back disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded both the increased rating for low back disorder and the TDIU claim due to a need for further examination and analysis regarding functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the left lower extremity as a residual of a tibial/shin laceration is granted. The claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disabilities are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, including lumbosacral strain, due to an error in obtaining a VA examination that addresses certain evidence in the claims file.

The Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on three separate issues have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away during their pendency.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back pain and bilateral hearing loss due to his withdrawal of the appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and new evidence added during a period when it was not allowed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar and thoracic strain under the AMA is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains pending.