Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current angioplasty with stent placement is aggravated by her service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability was previously considered and denied in a July 2008 rating decision. The Board found no CUE, as the evidence at that time did not support the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, but has remanded issues regarding urinary incontinence, bilateral leg weakness and numbness, as well as TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis and bilateral leg disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's back disability. The remanded issues include evaluations for degenerative arthritis with retrolisthesis and service-connected residuals of gunshot wounds.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent prior to February 7, 2021 and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a 20 percent rating effective April 20, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder and arm disability, but has remanded the cases for further development regarding back disability and pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including his service connection and its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate July 2012 VA examination, which did not provide estimates of range of motion lost during flare-ups. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remand is due to incomplete records from healthcare providers Dr. E.P., Dr. J.H., and Dr. K.W., and the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine conditions, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand were denied. The case was returned to the Board for further action.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, and neuropathy of the left arm. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left knee strain, stress fracture, limitation of flexion and extension are denied. She is granted a separate disability rating evaluated at 10 percent, but no higher, for right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability (COPD), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, back disability, hip disabilities, and foot disabilities. The cause of death is also under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disabilities, including L5-S1 discectomy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current low back disability is related to in-service training.