Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, but no higher. The condition is currently manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all found to have originated during active service.,New evidence has been submitted that supports the claim for each of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine segments were granted. The appeal regarding the propriety of recoupment of special separation benefits (SSBs) by withholding VA disability compensation benefits is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), hyperlipidemia, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability in each case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and degenerative disc disease (DDD). The VA examiner is requested to review all pertinent records, including service treatment records and post-service medical records, to determine if there is a nexus between the current back disability and service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 40 percent initial rating, but no higher, effective August 17, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide VA examinations for his musculoskeletal disorders, as well as any left ear hearing loss and low blood pressure diagnoses. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and multiple sclerosis due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and lumbar strain have been granted service connection. From April 19, 2021, the Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss disability, hemorrhoids, hypertension, PTSD and bipolar disorder, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, knee strains, and pes cavus. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to December 6, 2013 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide exposure during service and is remanding for new VA examinations and opinions regarding his claims of service connection for sciatic nerve disorder, umbilical hernia, respiratory disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right hip disability, left hip disability, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information or medical records, and VA will schedule him for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an updated medical opinion regarding the severity of his condition prior to February 11, 2020.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The effective date of the award of service connection for impairment of pronation of the right elbow is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes was not shown in service and there is no evidence that it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and head injury, to include TBI and headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service.