Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total rating due to back surgery, as they are inextricably intertwined. An additional medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's current spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck, upper back, and headaches are related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for their lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for left thigh injury, right knee injury and sprain, right ankle injury and sprain, left foot condition (calcaneus and achilles tendinitis), and right foot condition (calcaneus and achilles tendinitis) have been dismissed. The appeal as to low back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, right ankle disabilities, as well as hypertension and a heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition and a low back condition. The claim for service connection of an acquired mental health condition, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The claim to reopen the low back disorder was not successful, while her cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his incarceration and failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease and radiculopathy is granted due to a medical nexus established between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the hands and lumbar spondylosis prior to May 16, 2018 have been granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for aortic stenosis and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate consideration of the obesity-intermediate step theory.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer, cherry hemangioma, a back disability, and rhinitis due to potential Gulf War exposure.,An addendum medical opinion is needed regarding whether these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient retroactive assessment of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from January 20, 2010 through January 8, 2014. The examiner is required to provide a retroactive assessment including measurements of active motion, passive motion, and pain with weight-bearing and without weight-bearing for this period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with mechanical low back pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability was aggravated by service. The VA examiner did not address the Veteran's lay statements and contentions as instructed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI or acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of such disabilities during his active duty.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve were also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's chronic osteomyelitis of the lumbar spine, status post removal of hardware, is rated at 100 percent since July 23, 2003.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and private medical treatment records related to the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and lumbago (claimed as a thoracic and lumbar condition) are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination, and the right rotator cuff syndrome and right ankle condition are also remanded.