Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to VA's failure to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's primary care physician, Dr. Broaddus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations, and the claim for TDIU was considered abandoned.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 23, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was also denied a rating in excess of 40 percent from June 23, 2022.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including spondylolysis. The case is remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by his period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and experience.

The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected bilateral foot pes planus is granted, effective May 29, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran's SMC housebound based on her TDIU and other service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, to include depression, and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The back, right hip, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her left shoulder disability and thoracolumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for either condition at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the injury occurred outside of an eligible period of active service.,The Board also denied service connection for sarcoidosis, concluding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis was rated at 10 percent prior to August 28, 2018 and increased to 20 percent from that date.,Service connection for left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative disc disease, finding that symptoms began in service and have been continuous since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction as secondary to Degenerative Disc Disease and Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no in-service occurrence and insufficient evidence linking the current condition to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease was dismissed as the benefits were already granted through his existing hypertensive cardiovascular disease rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions and records to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, including any herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether separate evaluations are warranted for any neurologic manifestations associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder from January 13, 2012 to December 27, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for depression, left knee disability, and back disability have been reopened. The Board has determined that the evidence is sufficient to establish service connection for major depressive disorder but remanded for further examination on PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, and a back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for a disability of the upper extremities, to include thoracic neuropathy, is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a bilateral ankle and feet disability is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.,Service connection for a bilateral leg and knee disability is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.,Service connection for a lumbar disorder, claimed as lumbar radiculopathy, is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, a LEFT heel disorder, lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities, cervical radiculopathy of the RIGHT upper extremity, ulnar neuropathy / neuritis of the LEFT hand, and RIGHT eye conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant federal records, secure missing Army Reserve medical records, and obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC.