Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities due to incomplete development of her military records, including those from active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT).

The Veteran's claim for residuals of left hand laceration injury is granted. Claims for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and low back disability are denied, as well as a claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are insufficient and remands for new examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to individual unemployability prior to November 22, 2013 due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed to obtain SSA records and complete a VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for right wrist disorder and heart disorder have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of low back disorder, skin disorder, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will be provided with new, adequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10% since March 2012. The Board granted a 30% rating for GERD effective from the date of the claim, November 2010, based on evidence showing considerable impairment due to persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of TBI and lower back disability have been granted.,Service connection has also been denied for a bilateral feet disability.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it has been manifested by forward flexion to greater than 30 degrees but not to greater than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, neck disability, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar muscle strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 5, 2018. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder are due to an injury that occurred in service.,The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, was incurred during service and aggravated by his newly service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder that is linked to his military service, and he also has a current diagnosis of migraine headaches that are linked to his military service.,The claim for a scar to the left shoulder and chest is remanded as records related to this incident have not been obtained.,The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is causally related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) are being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to her active service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including lumbar scoliosis, is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The case will be readjudicated after the completion of this process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous orders.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection.