Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for a low back disability is granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the August 2012 SOC could substantiate the claim of service connection for a low back condition, as it raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left foot, and left hand disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Board also remanded the issues regarding bilateral foot disability and left hip disability.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for his service-connected back disabilities (degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as degenerative disc disease and facet arthritis of the cervical spine) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula or the IVDS Rating Formula.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low-back disorder, including degenerative disc disease, IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is service-connected as it was incurred during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The remaining issues have been remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person from October 26, 2017 through March 11, 2019 due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not show an in-service event or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability has been granted. The lumbosacral strain associated with the left ankle sprain remains at 20 percent, while the chronic left ankle sprain receives a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 21, 2016 and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and treatment records, which are needed to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, a right hip disability, and a right knee disability due to outstanding VA medical records. The right ankle disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 22, 2014, due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back pain and PTSD were denied as the effective dates requested could not be earlier than March 12, 2009.,No new evidence was submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, low back disability, and hypertension are not currently service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The dental disability case is denied as there is no eligible current disability, while the thoracolumbar spine disability case requires an addendum VA medical opinion to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions regarding the severity of his spine disability. The SMC claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disability. The back disorder is remanded as there is insufficient opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the nature and severity of his conditions, as well as potential effects of medications on his functioning.