Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has precluded him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since at least June 2, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The Veteran's low back, upper extremity neuropathy, ankle, knee, and lower leg disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to February 4, 2022, as there was no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.

The Board has found that the VA examinations did not address all of the issues raised in the January 2022 remand, specifically regarding secondary service connection for back disability and continuity of symptoms for sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded again to obtain additional opinions from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employment status and disability limitations during a specific period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from his in-service surgery. The Board requests that these records be obtained and an addendum opinion be provided by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence showed that he was capable of performing sedentary work with a sit/stand option.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD, posttraumatic headaches, chronic cervical strain, and chronic lumbar strain with early degenerative disc disease were granted service connection effective July 20, 2010. The TBI was granted as part of the PTSD award on November 16, 2010, and a separate rating of 10% for TBI was awarded effective May 16, 2017.,An earlier effective date claim for all conditions except TBI is denied due to finality.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and issues of inextricably intertwined claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for vaginosis and history of abnormal PAP smear, menstrual disorders, and low back disorder. The remaining issues (left and right ankle disorders) are remanded.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for various conditions was proper and denied the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for the lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1 was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective August 1, 2017. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 20% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar strain, and right hand disability, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 16, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder, bilateral knee, lumbar spine, and PTSD disabilities due to incomplete records. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for ED, sleep apnea, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in denying service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including residuals of spinal meningitis. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's anxiety and physical conditions, including ankle, knee, back, and shoulder issues, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all outstanding Vet Center records related to his service-connected mental health disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.