Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 20, 2022, and at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied as no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities on a direct basis, finding that the conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury.,Right wrist disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its secondary nature to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary due to worsening symptoms since the last examination in June 2018. Additional VA records from August 2021 onwards are needed, as well as an orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and hypertension. The claims are now remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with mechanical low back pain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 28, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and from December 1, 2012, has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are properly evaluated. Specifically, the VA needs to obtain medical records and provide an opinion on whether inclinometer measurements can be converted to goniometer measurements.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right knee iliotibial band syndrome, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and the initial evaluation for a surgical scar of the lumbar area prior to January 26, 2013, has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and rating of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, left leg sciatica, and scar tissue. The effective date claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including a low back disability and bilateral ankle condition, has been granted with an effective date set at November 15, 1978.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, low back disorder, and hypertension have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional information regarding potential exposure to herbicides and other toxic chemicals during service.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for right wrist DJD and remanded other service connection claims due to new evidence or changes in circumstances.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral foot and toenail fungus, right knee disability, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and back disability have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 1, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from engaging in sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the current severity and etiology of the Veteran's right knee strain, left knee condition, and low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to his lumbar spine disability. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine the severity of his lumbar spine condition and the etiology of his left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity and functional impact on his employment.