Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's low back disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neck disability are all rated at 40 percent effective January 31, 2020. The claim for TDIU is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his thoracic spine disability and TDIU is being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision. Further examination is needed, and the issues are intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for systemic arthritis, left knee disability, right leg disability, lumbar spine disability, thoracic spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete examinations and potential misapplication of medical standards.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all granted with a disability rating of 20 percent from December 23, 2014 to September 24, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30% from March 31, 2022. The Board denied higher ratings for the periods prior to and after this date.

The Veteran was previously working and earning above the poverty threshold, but due to his service-connected disabilities, he is now unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU from April 22, 2017.

The Veteran's low back disability with HNP and DDD of L5-S1 was rated at 10 percent prior to November 4, 2017, and denied for a higher rating. For the period from November 4, 2017, his disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to unresolved issues from previous examinations.

The Board denied an extension of the temporary total rating beyond October 31, 2009 for the Veteran's lumbar spine disc disease.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal regarding his left hip disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for low back, right hip, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and denied it. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is reopened, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD is remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and osteoarthritis of multiple joints due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as hypertension, but the appellant contends that his true cause of death was head trauma from repeated falls. The VA medical opinions found no nexus between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's in-service experiences or his reported pain.

The Board has remanded the claims due to notification issues and a need for VA compensation examinations.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative arthritis. The appeals for peripheral vascular diseases of the upper and lower extremities are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and chronic fatigue syndrome are related to his active-duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim. The appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, kidney disease (due to exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune), and liver disease (due to exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune) are remanded.