Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking the disorders to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis and headache disorder are related to service, but has remanded for further examination regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand instructions and additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings, service connection, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for an examination regarding the Veteran's claimed back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating for this condition. The effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and hemorrhoids, to include perirectal abscess due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a new examination to determine the etiology of her current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD) and a low back disorder have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has MDD related to in-service stressors, including witnessing a man being shot while stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois. Service connection was also established for his low back disorder based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to injuries sustained during his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, left knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period following separation. The disorders were not shown to be related to an injury during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues of cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with the lumbar spine disability claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hip and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 28, 2015. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the remanded issue involves entitlement to a higher rating than 20 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is also currently rated at 10 percent and the remanded issue involves entitlement to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ADHD, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right leg need further evaluation due to recent testimony indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have onset in service or until many years thereafter and were not related to service.,The Board found no credible evidence of a chronic condition in service and noted the lack of treatment records indicating ongoing symptoms since service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various spinal disabilities and related conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is caused by his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of lumbosacral strain has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the case to determine if a higher rating is warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his disability.