Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for hand/finger disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA records.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on a higher level of special aid and attendance due to his need for personal health-care services provided daily in his home by licensed professionals, necessitating nursing home care if not provided.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his depressive disorder and various finger disabilities, have caused significant functional impairment that has prevented him from obtaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 19, 2021. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU rating based on these factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left knee, upper back, and low back disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria of a hearing impairment for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury, memory loss, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence.,Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal condition, and head injury residuals due to incomplete medical records and lack of proper examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for a low back disability and migraine headache disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as the evidence does not clearly establish its onset in service or etiology.,Further examination and opinion are needed regarding obesity's role in the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbar disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation prior to September 19, 2016 based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot metatarsalgia, to include as secondary to a service-connected left foot condition, has been granted. The initial rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, and the initial rating for lumbosacral strain has also been increased to 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations, potential worsening of conditions, and need for additional medical opinions regarding psychiatric and sleep impairments.

The Veteran's service connection claim for low back disability and sciatica of the lower extremities has been granted. The decision also remanded the secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right eye condition was dismissed. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back condition, finding it related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine, was denied for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent from May 4, 2007 to May 16, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent from May 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities. The claims are also remanded to obtain proof of annual salary prior to June 28, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, claimed as right shoulder pain; dry eye syndrome; cataracts; and dental disability (teeth grinding) have been denied. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability has been reopened but not granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The appeal for an effective date earlier than July 29, 2015, for award of service connection for lumbar spine DJD and left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,The claim of service connection for calcified pleural plaques, calcified granulomas, and COPD (claimed as lung condition) due to asbestos exposure has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent.,Issues regarding PTSD and depression are remanded for further evaluation.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for cervical spine disability was granted. Service connection for tourettism and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, secondary to tourettism, on a causation basis, were also granted.