Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, headache disability, and left hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and diagnoses of record for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disability. The claims for headaches, back pain, and numbness in the arms have been remanded.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as service connected. The thoracic and lumbar spine disorders are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that the disability did not manifest within a presumptive period and was not related to any noted conditions during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the initial evaluations of his spine and radiculopathy conditions. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar disability, CAD, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left arm disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by clear and unmistakable evidence showing the conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his lumbar spine, left and right sciatic nerve disabilities, and right knee disability are related to service or caused by his service-connected left total knee replacement.

The Veteran's GERD is caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a back disorder or right piriformis strain during service, but remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete service treatment records and missing medical evidence. The Veteran's complete service treatment records, VA treatment records, and any relevant prison and private care records must be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for L3-L4 paracentral/foraminal annular tear, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain as these conditions were not caused or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as he was able to maintain full-time employment in a substantially gainful occupation until August 14, 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability, but has found that new evidence is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for astigmatism in the left eye was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and bilateral shin splints disorders due to a lack of substantial compliance with the December 2021 decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his back disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability, heart disability (including tachycardia), and sleep apnea are all under review.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion to determine when the Veteran's back disability increased in severity prior to February 7, 2017. The initial hearing loss rating remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, vertigo, neck condition, and back condition due to their onset or aggravation during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's lay statements are considered, but the gap in documented treatment is noted as potentially significant.

The claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss disability, and arthralgia has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are granted.