Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back and left lower extremity disabilities due to unclear reasoning in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, increased rating for lumbar spine strain, and increased rating for allergic rhinitis due to new evidence received by VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and OSA, to include as secondary to service-connected disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to military service or post-service occupational injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen her claims.,The Veteran is still required to provide additional evidence to substantiate her claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to December 19, 2013. A new VA examination is needed to estimate the additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for additional retrospective medical opinions regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to January 23, 1998. The opinions are needed to address the symptoms and severity of his service-connected disabilities during that period.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, a back disability, and a left hip disability. The disabilities are deemed to have started during the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are remanded due to the unavailability of his service department records and the need to attempt to corroborate the stressful events claimed by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, along with his other conditions, has left him unable to find gainful employment prior to May 11, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back condition due to insufficient evidence in the January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered during the remand process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board has ordered further development to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee condition, lower and upper back conditions, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board denied service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's assertions were considered but found insufficient to establish direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disorder is granted from March 31, 2014. The Board has remanded the claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee limitation of extension due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with demyelinating polyneuropathy are denied. A TDIU is granted for the period from February 7, 2018, to February 6, 2022, but dismissed for the period thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to open medical questions related to his CAD, arthritis of various joints, and other disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his physical limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examinations and opinions related to his left knee and back disabilities. The claims are now before the Board for adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations.