Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate December 2019 VA examination report, and a new medical examination is required that provides all the required range of motion testing.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability present during or immediately following service and concluding that the current condition is not related to in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the previous remand directives were not substantially complied with and further remand is necessary due to an improper standard of proof applied by the examiner.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for a spinal cord tumor and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's spinal cord tumor is being reviewed to determine if it pre-existed service or was aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain claim is denied for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent from February 19, 2018 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 30, 2022. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to separate ratings for right and left lower extremity neurologic impairment as secondary to service-connected thoracolumbar strain, and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a 40 percent rating prior to September 17, 2021. The claim for increased ratings since that date and for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a left ankle disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The cervical spine disability is also granted as secondary to the lumbar spine disability. However, the cervical spine issue remains pending due to its inextricability with the lumbar spine issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a lower back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability, left hip disability, and lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and bilateral pes planus. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and verification of exposure. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, weakened immune system, hypothyroidism, migraines, and diabetes mellitus are all under review.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension is dismissed. PTSD and alcohol and substance abuse disorders are granted service connection, as well as erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, GERD, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted service connection effective December 16, 2008. The decision is based on the fact that the condition originated during active service and additional relevant records were received after a previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD and IVDS of the lumbar spine are granted a disability rating of 20 percent, effective from July 15, 2020. Separate ratings for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) and femoral nerve are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right knee disability, and claimed condition of larynx/esophagus and pyloroplasty/vagotomy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these claims. The issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are REMANDED.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to lack of medical evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors or conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and knee disabilities.