Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether it is related to service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for entitlement to increased rating for a left ankle disability, service connection for low back disability and right knee disability due to need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a breathing condition, low back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left ankle disability, and asthma due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma was not aggravated during his active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased disability evaluations and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for thoracolumbar spine disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 29, 2009.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for thoracolumbar spine disability since August 29, 2009 was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is relative equipoise as to whether her current condition had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of hypertension has been denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a bilateral hip condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete documentation of his periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and potential exposure. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as ethmoid sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, had its onset in service. The heart condition, obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of service connection and reduction in disability ratings have been denied. The Board found that the initial determination to grant service connection was clearly erroneous.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to inadequate examination in October 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps), and hypertension. However, the claims for a bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, and diabetes are remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, a headache disability, and a thoracolumbar spine disability. The cases are remanded to schedule VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 2, 2022. The Board also granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's migraine headache disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to military service and that there was no chronic disability present within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a colonoscopy.