Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and left hip disabilities, finding that they were aggravated by active duty. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), but a VA examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not manifested as or more closely approximated forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine (or its functional equivalent), or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbar spine spondylosis contributed substantially to his death from a blunt head trauma due to a fall.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for back disability, TBI residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition requires further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a dental disorder due to lack of new and material evidence, and because there was no established link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a back condition. The decision is based on the medical evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for allergies, low back condition, joint pains (fibromyalgia), and high blood pressure has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and lumbar spine condition due to inadequate etiological opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to service, including carrying heavy Marine Corps packs and medic bags.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the Board is dismissing it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and outstanding VA records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is remanded due to lack of recent medical records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain, low back condition, and left lower leg radiculopathy due to inadequate nexus opinions in the May 2016 VA examination report. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right lower extremity neuropathy due to in-service injury, as well as for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's death was not determined to be service-connected, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for lower back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, and bilateral lower extremity conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left Achilles tendon and low back disability, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, effective July 15, 2021. The Veteran's claims were based on his in-service injury and subsequent development of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and lumbar spine.