Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

Service connection is granted for a back condition, neck condition (cervicalgia), right elbow condition, and bilateral knee conditions.,The claims were remanded due to the need to address additional issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and right foot disabilities, all of which are currently denied.

The Veteran's lumbar disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The claims for headaches and hypertension secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent effective August 2, 2021. His low back strain is denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and low back disability render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted, but the claims for headaches, low back disability, tingling in the left foot, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, but the Board is remanded for further development including consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The low back sprain/spasm with history of arthritis claim was denied as there was no reduction in flexion to less than 30 degrees after March 17, 2021. The right lower extremity radiculopathy claim resulted in a grant of an initial 20 percent rating effective September 8, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral knee condition due to the appellant's withdrawal. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The back, bilateral knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent and a higher rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc changes, as well as the issue regarding an earlier effective date for TDIU. The remand includes additional examinations to assess the Veteran's functional ability during flares.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left wrist, right wrist, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been granted.,VA has also granted the Veteran an effective date of October 14, 2015 for his service connection for a right ankle sprain with tendonitis. However, this claim is being remanded due to additional issues needing further review.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral flat feet. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral eye disorder, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals during a hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and sleep disturbances) has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU. The Board has remanded these matters for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative have withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and a mental health condition due to outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development. The case is also being returned for additional examination as the Veteran refused a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, left knee condition, and right knee condition are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability is denied. He was previously rated at 10 percent prior to July 1, 2019, and now has a 20 percent rating since that date.