Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction due to potential issues with diagnostic clarity or need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in the November 2021 hearing. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 12, 2018, and at 20 percent beginning December 12, 2018. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary due to the Veteran's reports of worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in 2018.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his low back, neck, knee disabilities and hypertension. The examination is required for all conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected right sciatica, back condition, left leg condition, prostate condition, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues regarding service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, including as due to Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot calcaneal navicular bar is found to be related to his low back and right hip disorders, leading to the grants of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% from July 14, 2008 to October 3, 2010. A TDIU was granted effective July 14, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, low back disorder, and right hip disorder has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a more detailed opinion regarding whether his lumbar spine disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened, but the Board found no new and material evidence to support her claims for low back disability and residuals of removal of pilonidal cyst. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional relevant records and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are granted, with a 20% rating for the low back prior to September 5, 2017. Service connection is also established for both conditions.

The Veteran's flat feet have been granted service connection with an effective date of March 17, 1976.,Service connection has also been granted for low back pain, bilateral ankle and knee pain, as well as hallux valgus, Morton's neuroma, and hammer toes. Acne was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial rating of 40 percent prior to May 15, 2018 and a rating of 60 percent from June 1, 2020. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were each granted initial ratings of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is able to perform daily activities with assistance when needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing low back condition was aggravated by military service.