Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lower back and right knee disabilities have been evaluated, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, back disorder, and left leg disorders are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for his service-connected psychiatric disability, have rendered him unemployable since May 7, 2012 and on and after July 22, 2020.,The Board has granted a TDIU from May 7, 2012 to February 25, 2013 and on and after July 22, 2020 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his claims, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a left knee disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current low back disability is related to an injury during service, specifically a basketball game in 1981. The Board concluded that any pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service and thus denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, finding that they are related to his in-service injuries. The appeal is now resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis with DDD.

The Board has remanded the claims for right eye disability, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records do not support a finding of an in-service injury or event related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, back disorder, and right knee disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, while his low back disorder is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic low back disability is now pending.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,An initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left wrist tendon laceration is granted, effective from September 11, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination addressing the impact of the Veteran's right knee disability on his back disability. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated any diagnosed back disabilities.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of May 29, 2019 for TDIU and DEA benefits.,SMC based on housebound criteria was denied prior to September 26, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease has been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue will be readjudicated on its merits, including whether a VA examination or opinion is necessary.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. However, the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and peripheral arterial disease have been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 27, 2015 for service connection of lumbar myositis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar myositis is remanded.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection for various foot and neck disabilities, as well as a claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran's death during the appeal process resulted in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has denied service connection for migraines and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition with neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.