Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, and hypertension due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion. The Veteran's claim will be further developed with additional medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back disability due to inadequate reasoning in the June 2021 VA examination opinion and the need to discuss the relationship between the Veteran's claimed back disability and his service-connected left leg length discrepancy.

The Veteran's unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities has been recognized, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s)(1).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder condition, left knee condition, and low back condition. The decision also requires obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of adequate rationale in previous opinions, requiring new medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's low back disability and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his service-connected back, lower extremity radiculopathies, shin splints, and knee disabilities. The claim for GERD is also remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, a back disorder, a right knee disorder, degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, PFB, and bilateral foot skin disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a low back disorder due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides. Service connection was granted for the low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to a service-connected condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from August 13, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; anemia; back disability; bilateral foot disability including pes planus and right bunion. The issues of service connection for eye disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and insomnia were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability. The evidence did not support finding that COPD began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, nor did it indicate any association between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions in a previous VA examination and unclear reasoning. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his back disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine conditions, finding that they are related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach disability including GERD, back disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and opinions regarding these issues.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions provided on remand. The VA needs to obtain more responsive addendum opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his back condition, headaches, and gastrointestinal condition. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.