Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his shoulder scar and service connection for his back disability due to the need for updated examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's back disability and addressing his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued back brace caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to a decision granting a clothing allowance for the year 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disorders. The case is being returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for back disability.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder is granted. The initial rating for low back disability prior to June 7, 2019 is granted at 20 percent. A higher than 40 percent rating for the low back disability since June 7, 2019 is denied. Initial ratings of 10 percent are granted for right sciatica and scar formation in the right cranium prior to June 6, 2019. The issue of service connection for joint pain is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension, finding insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and her active duty service. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine/tension headaches was also denied.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its February 2022 remand directives and the claim is being returned for further development, including obtaining new VA opinions from a VA Physician to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including scoliosis, may have been aggravated by an in-service motor vehicle accident. However, due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for clarification on whether preexisting scoliosis was aggravated or if any new condition arose during service, the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, while the claims for back disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The right eye disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence of record and need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate explanations in previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's thoracic spine wedging with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the April 2022 remand directives and thus, further remand is required for the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin disability, lower back disability, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related as they are inextricably intertwined with the lower back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and instructions for obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's operative scar at the lower lumbar spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a 10% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to its size and lack of pain or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset in service and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in relying on a previous VA examination that did not address the Veteran's documented history of neurological symptoms, including pain radiating into his lower extremities and bladder/bowel incontinence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy. The claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and bilateral diabetic retinopathy are remanded.