Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's osteoporosis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent prior to January 27, 2022. The claim for a higher rating remains on appeal.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from January 27, 2022. The claim for a higher rating remains on appeal.

The appeal of the July 2021 rating decision, which proposed to award service connection for multiple disabilities according to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, joint aches, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot, psychiatric disorder, mitral valve insufficiency and coronary artery disease, hernia disorder, and dental disorders due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The issues of cervical spine, right hand, left hand, sciatica (right and left lower extremities), and talofibular ligament strain of the right ankle will be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for a bilateral dry eye condition was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for her low back disability and remanded the gynecological condition claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a higher rating for his lower back disability and TDIU. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records, and a retrospective medical opinion addressing functional loss and range of motion after repetitive use over time and during flare ups at the time of the April and December 2016 VA examinations is needed. Additionally, the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for consideration of whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective October 4, 2006. He seeks a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diagnosed as lumbar radiculopathy, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation, and no established link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left hand disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left hip disorder due to inadequate VA opinions in the previous decision. Additional VA addendum opinions are needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the addition of relevant private treatment records prior to certification to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed left shoulder or back disability, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected PTSD and lumbar strain. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar strain and diabetes are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, finding that it is both due to service and secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination and the provision of any private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and unsuccessful attempts to contact the Veteran.