Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's neck and back conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's rating for chronic degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical spine disability, and myofascial syndrome of the lumbar spine have been granted. The case is remanded for further consideration on other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorders due to incomplete examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability and hemorrhoids due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from January 21, 2014 through May 7, 2018 rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran is granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with an L5 herniated disc and left lower extremity radiculopathy, which the Board finds to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent from November 3, 2021, for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS was denied.,The Board remanded the issues regarding ratings prior to October 1, 2019 and between October 1, 2019 and November 2, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and events during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability. The cases of right hip, left hip, and COPD are remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's appeal of the remaining issues is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate opinions and the need for further development.,Specifically, hypertension, head injury, headaches, back disability, ulcers, respiratory disability (chronic cough), and chest pain are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, back condition, bilateral eye condition, bladder incontinence, headaches (HA), right knee, left knee, and erectile dysfunction deformity due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being reviewed again with consideration of service connection based on new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability due to inadequate VA examination findings. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to service, particularly his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has denied the remaining claims of service connection for a headache disorder, jaw disorder, neck disorder, lower back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left foot disorder (numbness and tingling).

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities, finding no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Veteran's claim for posttraumatic stress disorder remains denied. The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for lumbar spine, right leg, right knee, right hip, and right foot disorders, but not for posttraumatic stress disorder.