Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The appeals are not granted or denied at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and events during active duty.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 0 percent for hemorrhoids was improper and a 20 percent rating is restored, effective June 1, 2015.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in October 2019. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions, including during flare-ups and on repetitive use.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective May 1, 2014. He also received a rating of 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and a low back condition, both secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's initial ratings for a lumbar spine disorder have been denied as the evidence does not show that higher ratings are warranted at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there has been no diagnosis of ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's low back and neck disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and right lower extremity edema.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that March 29, 2016 is the earliest effective date assignable.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with strain prior to November 10, 2020, is denied as his range of motion and ankylosis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least in relative equipoise and that it is at least as likely as not the Veteran experienced tinnitus in service with recurrent symptoms thereafter, warranting service connection on a direct basis.

The appeal for a compensable rating for inguinal hernia is dismissed. The lumbar spine disability claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower and upper extremity conditions due to a lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran must provide any private medical records from Quick Care or other sources.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition, low back condition, right hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected conditions or in-service incidents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and PTSD due to outstanding records needing to be obtained, an examination for sleep apnea, and addendum opinions on the issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from January 30, 2018, to April 2, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding a VA examination.