Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to manage personal hygiene, financial affairs, and daily activities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected anterior compression fracture at L4 with degenerative disc disease at L2-L3 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board's prior remand instructions and failure to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, is remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2022 VA opinion.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for COPD has not been met. The Veteran's current COPD does not appear to be related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder, back disability, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability due to additional VA treatment records being submitted. The matter will be reconsidered and a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) will be issued.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current lumbar spine condition is not related to his active service or his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinion. The Veteran reported an in-service injury during combat, but there is no definitive nexus established.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right ankle disorder have been granted.,Both conditions were previously denied in the November 1997 Rating Decision, but new evidence received since then has established that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and asthma due to insufficient evidence regarding an alleged assault during service. The Veteran's spouse is seeking service connection for these conditions based on their belief that they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck (cervical spine) and low back (lumbar spine) disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for a higher evaluation of tinnitus and has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,PTSD with alcohol use disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions. The low back disorder claim is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and buddy statements.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate disability rating were denied. The claim for special monthly compensation was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following spinal fusion surgery is granted. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, which was previously rated at 20 percent, is also granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it likely due to his military service, including parachute jumps. However, there is no evidence linking his left knee disability to service.,For the hernia and TBI residuals, the Veteran's claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, and a back disability have been denied. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability has been granted.