Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disorder, lung disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hip disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), TMJ, kidney disorder, low back disorder, and headache disorder. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, bilateral hand tremors, speech disorder, and memory loss (related to PTSD). The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from December 19, 2016. The decision also vacated the February 2021 denial of an increased rating prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine condition due to an inadequate medical opinion. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the current lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions. The appellant's reports of injuries in service are being considered, along with any available records from the American Red Cross.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions in the prior VA examination reports. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for GERD, abdominal tumor residuals, diverticulitis, respiratory condition, headaches, skin rash condition, and joint pains (bilateral shoulder, wrists, knees, lumbar spine) are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require SMC based on need for aid and attendance. He is also not housebound due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's chronic low back disability is granted service connection. The cervical spine (neck) disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his symptoms began during service and have continued since then. The appeal was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar lumbar degeneration and an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his military service, particularly due to physical labor and exposure to explosive devices during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently employed.

The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, presumptively due to service in Southwest Asia. However, the claim for cervical spine disorders was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.,Service connection was established for allergic rhinitis based on its presumed onset during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of soft tissue sarcoma due to herbicide exposure. The claims for CAD, diabetes mellitus type II, and lower back disorder were reopened based on new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran's spouse.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine condition and right hip condition, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain with unfused apophysis at L-4 and degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist CTS, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. Service connection is denied for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which was allegedly incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for adjudication purposes and requires a new opinion on whether the Veteran's hip and low back conditions are caused or aggravated by her service-connected knee disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development including examinations and medical opinions.