Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for low back disability, as the current opinion is inadequate. Service connection for right wrist disability remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, including those related to Persian Gulf service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a lower back condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence and requires further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, claimed as due to exposure to Persian Gulf environmental hazards. The Veteran's active duty included service in Southwest Asia and he was seen for recurrent low back pain. A VA evaluation concluded that it is less likely than not that any current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and thoracic spine disability due to failure to report for a VA examination. The claims are not decided in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, and left shoulder disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and service.,Specifically, the Veteran's migraine headaches are not considered to be related to an in-service injury or disease, as his service records do not show any complaints of or treatment for such issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's injury during INACDUTRA training is etiologically related to his current disabilities of degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right testicular disability and recurrent lumbosacral spine disability are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and for increased ratings of hypertension and CAD. The claims are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations, service connection, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder (to include pes planus), right ear hearing loss, back disorder (to include IVDS), heart disorder, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, additional examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's current foot disorders were aggravated by service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of consideration of continuity of symptoms during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for neck disability and an increased rating for left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's current thoracolumbar-sacral spine disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.