Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left ear hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent, but the issue of nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active duty service and remands for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating increase for lower back disability due to an inadequate VA examination in December 2019. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms and limitations during flare-ups were not adequately addressed by the examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, left lower extremity, and bilateral hip disabilities as they are related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the April 2022 remand directives and thus the claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee condition and back condition, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, to include arthritis, and neck disorder, to include arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the adequacy of VA examinations and failure to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient medical opinion and consideration of lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and tinnitus, finding no current diagnosed disabilities. The decision also remanded the case for further development regarding tinnitus.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for service-connected disabilities prior to November 5, 2018 was 90 percent. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed as it has been granted in a September 2022 rating decision. The claims for service connection for back disability and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate etiology opinions and a need for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of recent VA examination records and the need for an updated assessment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to November 17, 2016. The rating for her low back condition remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding her back disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and incomplete records. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar spine disability, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran has withdrawn all remaining issues on appeal, including those for vertigo and spinal disabilities. The Board is dismissing the appeals as a result.