Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and the need for additional retrospective opinions. The issues include increases in ratings for low back strain, cervical spine strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination and opinion to address her service connection claim for a low back condition, which she contends is related to her active-duty service or secondary to her service-connected medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an upper back disability and remanded other claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disorder. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively have been considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his contention that he injured his back during active duty or in-service treatment.

The Veteran's cervical strain and djd, lumbar strain and thoracolumbar djd, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and right hip bursitis are all related to his service-connected left ankle problem. The Board has determined that additional VA opinions are needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining private treatment records and addressing whether SMC at the (s) rate is warranted based on the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for tinea pedis, athlete's foot, arthritis, eczema, chronic sinusitis, and lumbar spine lordosis with thoracic spine degenerative disc disease were dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of these issues prior to their decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for cervical disc disease, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left foot plantar fasciitis, thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups and associated neurologic abnormalities.

The claim is reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but service connection remains denied as there is no direct link between the current back disability and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a liver disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of initial increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and bilateral hip arthritis, as well as TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding his service-connected right knee disability and back disorder, as well as incomplete treatment records. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, claimed as anxiety and depression, and for insomnia has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the March 2010 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if a TDIU should be granted for the period from March 12, 2010, to September 23, 2012, on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, low back disability, and gastritis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and for clarification on his work history in relation to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and vascular disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder impingement syndrome, chronic left and right wrist sprains, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations in November 2016. The Veteran is required to undergo updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.