Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge for the period from January 2005 to October 2008 should be remanded, as well as his claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sacroiliac weakness, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral leg shin splints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hammertoes, bilateral foot disorder, hypertensive heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, maxilla oral surgery scarring, tooth loss and periodontal disease, skin cancer, facial scarring, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has restored the 40 percent rating for the service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative disc disease (DDD), as the reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent was not proper.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities. The remaining issues of service connection for heart problems, residuals of a head injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder or sleep disorder, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from June 8, 2011, to March 17, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no credible evidence of continuous or recurring back pain since service and concluding that any current back disability is more likely related to post-service occupational activities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for PTSD and a higher initial rating for asthma. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, left arm disorder, right leg numbness, left leg numbness, depressive disorder, lumbar myositis (lumbar spine disability), left knee disability, migraine headaches, chronic gastritis, and left foot degenerative arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cervical, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as service treatment records, which need to be obtained in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The Board also found that the previous VA opinions were deficient and requested addendum opinions from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder acromioclavicular degeneration, and right hand disabilities to be remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as new and material evidence had been received. The heart condition and low back disability are remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, but the heart condition and low back disability remain unresolved.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's chest wall pain is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability or had its onset in military service. The initial rating for the cervical spine disability remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, testicular pain secondary to the lumbar spine disability, and left ankle disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's MRSA infection, neck disability and low back disability are denied as not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence or lack of proper skill on the part of VA.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and lumbar spine conditions, as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical disorder, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction are all granted service connection as secondary to his pre-existing conditions.,Special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is rated at 20 percent, effective October 5, 2010. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for lung damage (COPD) and skin disease of the right leg are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that his current condition did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a). For TDIU, the Veteran's employment status and education were considered, with the conclusion being he was not eligible due to his continued employment.