Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar osteoarthritis with scoliosis and TDIU prior to February 1, 2018 are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, claimed as joint pain, was denied because the evidence did not establish a nexus between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. Service connection was granted for PVD of the RLE and LLE as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's right hip disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected left hip osteoarthritis.,Service connection for sciatic and peroneal radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with bilateral L5 spondylolysis with grade 1 anterolisthesis and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is granted with a rating of 40 percent, effective June 18, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for back disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disability, left knee disability, and TDIU due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical evidence in the December 2016 VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from August 23, 2013 to October 6, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for her lumbar spine disability due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by the previous decision. Further examination is needed to determine if there is functional equivalent to ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and cervical spine arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year post-service. The current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a collar bone injury and lumbar spine disability, finding that additional medical opinions are needed to address the credibility of the Veteran's lay statements and whether his service-connected knees aggravated his lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is granted, as the evidence shows a current diagnosis and no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine IVDS with DDD is currently rated at 20 percent prior to June 29, 2016. The Board has remanded for further development regarding ratings higher than 20 percent from June 29, 2016, through September 16, 2020, and beginning September 17, 2020.,The Veteran's CAD is currently not service connected. The Board has remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it was incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis with degenerative disc disease is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 1, 2015 until November 18, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to November 15, 2017 is granted at 20 percent. A higher rating is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation on issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's low back condition, left shoulder condition, stress headaches, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to a service-connected low back condition), right hand scars, and dermatophytosis are all being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as the claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues related to examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but a higher rating is denied.,Effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not earlier than February 24, 2018.