Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 14, 2019.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability was remanded for further evidentiary development due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since his military service are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psoriatic arthritis conditions, but has remanded these issues due to additional development being necessary.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriatic arthritis is being remanded as there are still unresolved questions regarding whether his current conditions are related to his pre-existing psoriasis and left-hand psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to procedural issues with the appeal process.

The Veteran's back disability was restored to a 20% rating, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 0%. The reduction from 20% to 10% for the back disability is reversed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The appeal with respect to residuals of frostbite of the right foot is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD, a right shoulder disability, a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and flat feet are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for pes planus, an upper back condition, and a lower back condition due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's stepson, L.B., is recognized as a helpless child due to his cerebral palsy.,Service connection for left knee arthritis and swollen lips (claimed as hives) are granted based on in-service burn pit exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but the case is dismissed because the issue was fully resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's left hand injury claim is also on hold for a statement of the case.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a more complete medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 25, 2018, and a rating in excess of 20 percent on and after October 25, 2018, for lumbar spine injury residuals; an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy; and a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there are pertinent, outstanding records that have not been obtained and reviewed. These include Social Security Administration (SSA) records; and treatment records from 'Mena Hospital.' The Veteran alleges a current lumbar spine disability caused by an injury sustained during service in approximately February 1989. The August 2018 VA back examiner confirmed a diagnosis of intervertebral disc syndrome, micro-discectomy for displaced disc. However, the examiner's conclusions were factually inaccurate and the Veteran's first complaint of a lumbar spine disability after service occurred in 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another spine examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and headaches due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to her service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the benefit has been granted.,Residuals of a head injury and back disability are remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.,Back disability is remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.,Respiratory disorder (including spot on lung, shortness of breath, and/or sleep apnea) is remanded due to need for updated VA treatment records and addendum medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left hip and lumbar spine disabilities, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The PTSD claim requires a remand to obtain an updated VA examination. The hearing loss and respiratory disability claims also require additional examinations.