Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower lumbar spine and left ankle conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinea pedis, allergic rhinosinusitis, back disorder, bilateral leg disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disorder (including a rash on the legs and buttocks), and hypertension due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete service records and the need for VA opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the appellant's ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and impairment of the right tibia and fibula are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.,The Veteran's impairment of the right tibia and fibula is also being remanded for further examination to determine its current severity.,The Veteran's liver disability, kidney disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and heart disability are being remanded due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection will be considered on a direct basis as well as presumptively based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's leukemia is also being remanded for further examination to determine its current severity and whether it is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew all claims related to service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, weak voice, enlarged prostate, sleep difficulties, scars from cancer excisions, and cardiovascular issues. Service connection was granted for ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease due to radiation exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and right knee disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that led to current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and pain, requiring a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claims of service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain and left hand disorder are not reopened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety or depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's psychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions, including PTSD with sleep impairment, chronic lumbosacral strain, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and residuals of puncture wound/contusion right mid-tibia. The TDIU claim is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a new VA examination due to the increase in severity since his last examination.,The cervical spine disability and RUE condition are also being remanded, with requests for an addendum opinion on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee replacement, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 30, 2017, were denied due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent since September 8, 2008. The rating is granted as the condition results in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not return the required VA Form 21-8940 and there is no credible evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been REMANDED by the Board.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for a left thumb disability, bilateral foot disability, but not for hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches, back disability, and right shoulder disability are also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spondylosis from November 25, 2009, to November 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder.