Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right knee meniscal tear, status post meniscectomy is granted. The issues of service connection for sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, low back disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 17, 2012 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including private treatment records and VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the exception of periods prior to April 11, 2019 where he did not meet schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since September 9, 2021. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 60 percent since September 9, 2021. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from December 16, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities making it impossible for her to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's chronic thoracolumbar strain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in forward flexion of the spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for breathing difficulties, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and neurological symptoms are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The upper back disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine arthritis, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to the benefit of doubt being afforded to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, low back disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with other issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination and opinion. The Veteran's low back disability needs further clarification, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is related to her military service and granted. The right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted. Service connection for glaucoma of the left eye and lumbosacral strain were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is presumed to be related to an injury in service.,New evidence has been received, reopening the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back condition, and it is unclear if service connection can be established.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity sciatica and right lower extremity sciatica, both claimed as secondary to a lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's current lower extremity sciatic nerve pain is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted them. The appeals are remanded to further develop evidence for each issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.,His right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are not considered for VA purposes as they do not meet the criteria of a current disability.,The Veteran's back disability, bilateral knee strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left knee gout are found to be related to his military service.,However, due to conflicting evidence and opinions, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied. The decision on this issue is remanded.