Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to inadequate VA examinations in March 2022. The new examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The evidence did not support finding that any current right shoulder or left knee disorders were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The RO should request the Veteran's service treatment records for his periods of active duty from February 1987 to July 1990, verify his period of service in the Army Reserves, and schedule him for VA examinations to address the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the back disability prior to April 17, 2013, and denied any higher ratings thereafter. The Veteran's appeal of this decision is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and right hip disability due to insufficient development in prior decisions. The case will be returned for further proceedings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to persistent symptoms of pain and limited range of motion. The Veteran also seeks service connection for left and right hip disabilities.,The Veteran has provided credible testimony regarding his bilateral hip pain since service, which he attributes to his in-service lumbar spine surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine strain with IVDS, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether his service-connected low back disability caused or aggravated any weight gain that led to his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete records and unavailability of deck logs from the USS Saratoga.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to October 24, 2014 did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment due to his education and previous work experience.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as at least as likely as not related to her active military service.,The claims for back, right foot, left foot disabilities and GERD are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as well as for an assessment of left and right lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 13, 2009. The Board found that his education and work experience were sufficient to allow him to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining private treatment records and x-rays from the 1980s. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to delays in scheduling VA examinations and lack of clear communication regarding these appointments. The Veteran is required to attend future scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and right knee disability, finding that these conditions are proximately caused by her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury to these conditions during service. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a thoracolumbar spine disorder. However, due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions, the claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of proper notification. The Veteran's claim for service connection is returned to the AOJ for further development.