Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a left eye disability other than photophobia and irregular pupil, including pinguecula, nuclear sclerosis cataracts, and arcus senilis; and service connection for a back and bilateral lower extremity disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for left knee pain and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The diagnoses are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings for his service-connected cervical neck strain, degenerative conditions, and radiculopathies due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion regarding ankylosis of the cervical spine and a neurological examination for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting findings and the need for further VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his combined disability ratings did not meet the required percentage standards, and he failed to provide necessary information for a complete evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for her residuals of total left knee arthroplasty and service connection for lumbar spine disorder as secondary to her service-connected knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records from before 2010 and any relevant private treatment records, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, eczema, cervical disability, back disability, PFB, and psychiatric disability associated with PFB are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion from the May 2015 VA back conditions examiner regarding the etiology of the diagnosed lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the RO did not fulfill its duty to notify under the VCAA prior to the October 2019 decision. The issues of service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and increased disability evaluations for mechanical lumbar strain are remanded due to incomplete assessments regarding flare-ups, occupational impact, and range of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disorder, including whether it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for an increased rating during the appeal period from June 1, 2012 to October 13, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations in March 2022. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current disability levels and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including STRs and MPRs. The Veteran also needs to provide copies of any non-VA treatment records he has in his possession.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing the range of motion and functional limitations prior to July 17, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, specifically degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to an in-service APC accident and grants service connection for this condition.