Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracic spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to scheduling issues. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 20, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity; an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 20, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity; and a TDIU claim. The remand requires further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus aggravates his chronic headaches. The low back condition issue is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease with herniation and nerve damage of the right upper extremity, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), a right knee disability, tinnitus, and neurological conditions affecting the legs and feet are all granted. The claim for service connection of low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's degeneration of lumbar or lumbosacral intervertebral disc was granted a 20 percent rating for the appeal period beginning on April 11, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, residuals of a fractured nose, and recurrent angio lipomas. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions began during his active service or were related to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service, including parachute jumps and a basketball injury in March 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered her unable to work for the period from September 24, 2009 through January 10, 2010. The VA has ordered additional examinations and remanded several issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his employment and education history. The Board requests additional records from the VistA Imaging system, asks for a completed VA Form 21-8940, and will readjudicate the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and increased rating for lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a link to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has not made a decision on the remaining issues due to their complexity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability prior to June 5, 2020, was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of forward flexion to at least 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including eczema, right and left knee disabilities, and a lumbar spine disability. The reasons include obtaining authorization to retrieve private treatment records and obtain adequate medical opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain was not reopened, and the appeal is denied. The claims for right foot heel spurs, GERD, and twisted left ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a separate rating for bladder or bowel impairment, as well as his claim of entitlement to TDIU from July 15, 2011 to February 19, 2013, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye disability is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and granted his claim for service connection for a lower back disorder. The denial of the left ankle condition is based on lack of chronicity in service, no evidence of continuity of symptomatology, and no causal relationship to service. The grant of service connection for the lower back disorder is due to reports of continued lower back pain since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, left foot, right foot and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.