Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right hand and wrist have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders is denied due to lack of in-service or post-service medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right sacral fracture, and TDIU due to lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of her disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, arm, hand, and back disabilities due to incomplete records and lack of specific dates for periods of active duty.

The Veteran's left shoulder dislocation is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,For his right shoulder bankart report (minor), an adequate VA examination is needed to assess the current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue with the analysis of service connection under 3.303(b). Specifically, the Court found that favorable evidence was overlooked in the prior decision regarding a condition noted in service and current back disorder.

The Veteran's lower back disability and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and joint pain as due to an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI. The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed, his hearing loss did not meet VA criteria, and there is no evidence of a current joint pain disability apart from what has already been service-connected.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the requirements for VR&E benefits to obtain a Master's degree in Interior Design or Construction Management.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient medical opinions in the April 2021 VA addendum.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar myofascial strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left arm radiculopathy secondary to a cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA purposes during the appeal period.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the Veteran had onset of ringing in his ears during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, low back, and seizure disorders have been reopened. The claim of TDIU since August 16, 2016 has been granted due to the combined rating of 60% for major depressive disorder associated with other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus of the left foot.,Both conditions are now considered service connected due to their association with the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and failure to verify his reported stressors. The matter will be returned for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion and because additional development is needed.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for hypertension, bilateral eye disability, unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

A 50 percent rating is granted for an anxiety disorder prior to October 24, 2016. Service connection for a headache disorder and lumbar spine disorder is reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical spine, heart, and lumbar spine disabilities.