Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence and potential medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear information regarding her service during her injury on July 26, 2000. The issues must be further investigated and verified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder bicipital tendonitis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records, need for a new examination, and potential functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was granted a 40 percent rating prior to February 15, 2022 and denied any higher rating thereafter.,The Veteran's right shoulder strain was granted a 40 percent rating. The left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis were both remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathies have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent at any point.

An effective date of March 31, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disorder prior to November 14, 2012, is denied.,An effective date of November 14, 2012, but no earlier, for the grant of a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition and low back condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also asked to provide clarification on his lipoma and potential proximate cause from his service-connected bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that his current disability is related to his in-service hernia surgery and heavy lifting.

The Veteran's claims of higher initial rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for PTSD, and TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The case is remanded for further action on the low back disorder claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his education, skills, training, and vocational history are sufficient for sedentary-type work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran incurred a cervical spine injury during his service, and therefore grants service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for left knee strain was denied as the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease, and there is no credible link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's testimony about chronic pain during service did not align with contemporaneous records indicating he did not seek treatment for left knee issues.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy was remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left eye disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as the evidence does not show she is permanently bedridden or so helpless that she needs assistance with daily activities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further evaluation to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-5.,The issue of service connection for a back condition is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the current disability existed during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's statements and private treatment records supported his continuous back symptoms since an in-service injury, leading to a determination of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to new evidence and a need for reconsideration of the ratings.