Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The skin condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, headache condition, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to insufficient reasons or bases in the May 2021 decision. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding head injuries sustained during active service is considered, along with requests for VA examinations and opinions on various issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbago, mid back pain and a low back disability is granted. The Board finds that the current low back disability arose in or is related to service.

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted service connection, with the effective date set at October 3, 2011. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has decided the claim for a back condition is remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened. The Veteran's right knee instability and arthritis with limitation of motion are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, and lumbar spine conditions due to additional development of medical evidence being needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed by a clinician to determine if they were incurred during his active service.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the April 2022 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a VA examiner opinion and incomplete information regarding stressor validation. The issues include PTSD, erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disability, and low back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including right ear hearing loss, hip pain, back pain, foot pain, ankle pain, and knee pain. The remand requires obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations for left ankle and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 2008 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy.,An initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to lose the use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding their claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, an acquired psychiatric disorder, temporary total ratings due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to address functional impairment during flare-ups and repeated use of lumbosacral degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, back condition, and neck condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service. The VA will obtain all available STRs, conduct audiometric testing, and provide a medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, initial increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as initial compensable ratings for residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture and lichenification.,No new evidence or arguments have been provided to support these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding higher initial ratings for service-connected TBI residuals and back disability. The Board cannot proceed with these issues as the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, evaluations, and TDIU due to issues with his right hip, lumbar spine, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and his hospitalization. The issues include rating ratings, service connection, and other disability evaluations.