Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition but has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, which is claimed to be related to the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition and PTSD due to incomplete records. The Veteran served in various units during World War II, but VA was unable to locate his service treatment records or Army Surgeon General's Office records.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including back condition, neck condition, shoulder conditions, PTSD, arm conditions, and leg conditions. The Veteran is advised that a statement of the case must be provided before these matters can be returned to the Board.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 13, 2017. The decision was based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected left knee disability and other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, bilateral shoulder condition, and lumbar sprain for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for a left shoulder disability and a higher initial rating for TBI residuals (claimed as post-concussive syndrome) and comingled psychiatric symptoms are granted. The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities remain on appeal with remanded issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and upper back condition did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The current disability rating is 40 percent, effective from July 28, 2014.

The Veteran's spine and hip disabilities have been remanded for further examination.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for seasonal allergic rhinitis with headaches has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the application to reopen claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and left hip disability have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his right knee injuries, hip disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a low back disability due to incomplete compliance with previous directives regarding private medical records and authorization forms.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and not due to pre-existing conditions or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that there is no current left knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals during a hearing.,The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to new evidence, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted service connection, obesity appeal is dismissed, and the cases are remanded for further evaluations.