Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports. The claims are not granted at this time.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's back disability was incurred in or related to service, specifically his reports of heavy lifting during service.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40% rating from March 22, 2017. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not granted service connection as it is not related to her active duty service or a service-connected condition. The Board found that the Veteran did not have continuity of symptomatology since service and her current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was attributed to age-related overuse and repetitive neck activities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not related to his military service and did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current back strain and degenerative changes in the thoracolumbar spine are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several service connection and increased rating claims, including those for a back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, psychiatric disability, and diabetes mellitus. The effective dates for the grant of service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar condition and whether any current low back disability found pre-existed service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. Additional VA examination and treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, back disability, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the AC joint of the left shoulder, PFB, and a low back disability. The conditions are considered direct service connections based on evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and will provide another VA examination for a determination of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's in-service injuries caused or aggravated his current back and leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran asserts that his current neck and back disabilities are related to in-service falls from an Amtrac vehicle.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to April 12, 2022. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted, effective July 19, 2013. The case is remanded for further evaluation regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of a retrospective medical opinion and inadequate VA examinations.