Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The appeal was remanded due to issues related to lower extremity neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee strain with DJD (limitation of flexion) is denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains at a 20% rating prior to December 2, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphonia, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions provided by the July 2021 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms. Another VA examination is required.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a lower back condition, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, lower back, and right hip conditions are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran contends her current conditions are related to her time in active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran's complete reserve service personnel records, including all DD Form 214s issued after 1991.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, sleep disorder, right leg disability, left leg disability, right hip disability, and left hand disability as they were not shown to be related to service.,Service connection was also denied for a right hand disability due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for OSA, cervical spine DDD prior to August 30, 2018, and cervical spine DDD from August 30, 2018 onwards were denied. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the benefit of doubt given to his claim.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. High cholesterol and psychiatric disorders are denied. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, hypertension, respiratory disability, psychiatric disability, back disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral elbow disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. The evidence does not show current disabilities for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's skin cancer, subcutaneous cysts, left knee and back conditions, esophageal condition (hiatal hernia and / or GERD), and stomach problem (gastritis) are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically failure to obtain medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin cancer, subcutaneous cysts, left knee and back conditions, esophageal condition (hiatal hernia and / or GERD), and stomach problem (gastritis) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected lower back disorder is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran’s range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.

The Board has granted the readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, cervical strain, and COPD. The issues have been remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, PCOS, and vasovagal syncope. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's service records show multiple complaints and treatment related to his hands, feet, ankles, upper extremities, lower extremities, and back during service. The Veteran contends that these conditions had their onset or are otherwise related to service. However, the VA examinations have not provided a clear opinion on whether any of these conditions were present in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and relevant evidence has been received for service connection of a low back condition. The Board dismissed the issue.