Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board found that the grant of service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was not clear and unmistakable error (CUE), thus allowing the appeal to proceed with restoration of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, including arthritis, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability or evidence of chronic symptoms in service. The Board also found no credible account of an in-service injury.,Service connection was denied as there were no in-service injuries or diseases to which the disabilities could be related.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is rated at 40 percent, and his left foot disability is granted service connection. The head injury residuals are denied, as well as the low back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and back condition have been reopened. The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is related to her active duty service and has been granted.,Other conditions, including right ankle, bilateral hip, knee, and back conditions, as well as migraine headaches and HTN, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his tinnitus claim is dismissed. His vertigo and back condition are granted with service connection, but the multiple joint pain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back condition and hypertension have been granted. The Board found that the conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration due to a disagreement with the July 2021 decision denying an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left hip disability, and back disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, PTSD, and lumbar spine scar) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed back disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis and whether his back disability is related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding functional loss and medication effects on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as well as for consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. The remaining issues of service connection for esophageal condition, left shoulder disability, and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.,Service connection for anxiety is denied because it is considered a symptom of the already service-connected PTSD.,The Board has ordered another VA examination to determine if Bell's Palsy and GERD are related to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of her lumbar spine strain and radiculopathy disabilities, including failure to obtain records from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir medical clinic.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.