Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a groin injury, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lower back disorder has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; heart disease (IHD); vision impairment; low back disorder; and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and low back disability are granted. The claim for right leg pain is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since August 16, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and remanded his right ear hearing loss case.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to additional evidence being added to the record. The Veteran's representative requested a DRO hearing but it has not been scheduled yet.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at a higher level than initially granted, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a maximum rating of 40 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims for increased ratings of a right shoulder condition and depressive disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for painful motion of the little and ring fingers, left and right hands have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been granted separate disability ratings.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted disability evaluations, with the migraine headaches receiving a 50% evaluation and the degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine receiving a 40% evaluation. The Veteran has also been granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for trapezius muscle spasms, thoracolumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral hands, a lumbar spine disability, and a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions in the April 2022 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy, as well as lumbar discogenic disease and degenerative spine disease, were denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the extent of range of motion loss.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements and private treatment records are considered, but further examination is needed to determine if his back disorder originated in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, back, and neck conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The claim for a right shoulder disability is still pending.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or immediately following active duty.