Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hip disabilities are attributable to service, specifically standing for prolonged periods of time with equipment/gear on.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, including bronchitis and chronic cough, as well as his claim for service connection for a back condition. The VA is directed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral finger disability and low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to substantially comply with prior remand instructions regarding neurological symptoms associated with the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve and granted a 30 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve, effective from February 21, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, work history, skills, and training, resulting in a TDIU grant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and thoracolumbar spine disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right knee disability claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain a retrospective addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a lumbar spine disability, as well as his TDIU claim, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in any of these areas.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings and a higher rating for various foot conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw all pending appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for his lumbar spine strain, left weak quadriceps muscle injury prior to October 7, 2019, right weak quadriceps muscle injury prior to October 7, 2019, and residuals of a right femur fracture (limited extension) have been denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 40 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis. His left and right weak quadriceps muscle injuries prior to October 7, 2019 are not shown to warrant a compensable rating. As of October 7, 2019, his left and right weak quadriceps muscle injuries as well as his residuals of a right femur fracture (limited extension) do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The appeal for service connection of thoracolumbar spine disorder is dismissed as the RO has already granted it with a full award. The appeals for left knee, cervical spine, and left shoulder disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 9, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is denied. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted. Service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, hip, and back conditions due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder pre-existed service and was aggravated by service. The case will be returned for further development.