Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral leg disorder were not granted service connection. The eye disorder was granted service connection as it is related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and back disability are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to procedural errors in the VA Form 10182 submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's back disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted evaluations. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have also been granted evaluations. An effective date of September 30, 2020 has been established for these service connection awards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, hypertension, low back disability, and sleep disorder. The issues are related to his honorable and other than honorable periods of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The issues include low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder, and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than December 8, 2017 for the award of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, lung disability, skin disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, lumbar spine disability, and hearing loss of the left ear.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 26, 2021 was denied due to lack of evidence of associated neurological abnormalities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed low back disability, specifically his service aboard the Thomas H. Barry ship during a hurricane in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms during flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial ratings for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and failure to obtain addendum medical opinions. The issues include back disability, hepatitis C, brain disability (manifested by cognitive issues), and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at a 60 percent rating from February 17, 2009, to August 19, 2013.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left hip disability is service-connected. The right hip, low back, and left knee disabilities are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral leg condition (diagnosed as akathisia) and denied service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and COPD.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his condition during specific periods.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for chronic thoracolumbar strain with lumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, since October 5, 2019, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the upper extremities (right and left) and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.