Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed lower back condition, which is secondary to her service-connected left knee condition. The AOJ must obtain an advisory medical opinion from an independent expert to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, low back, right wrist carpal tunnel, right hand disorder (including right thumb disorder), right little finger disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders may be related to his active duty service. However, additional medical opinions are needed to clarify these relationships.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate examination regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disabilities and for TDIU due to a lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that her forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 30 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for left buttock pain and a low back condition as secondary to the Veteran's right hip condition, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and back conditions, have resulted in a loss of use of his lower extremities, affecting balance and propulsion. The Board has determined that he is eligible for specially adapted housing due to the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disorder due to outstanding treatment records from Polochick Chiropractic Wellness Center.

The Board has restored the original ratings of 20% for lumbosacral spine disability and 20% for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, effective May 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and inextricability of issues. The TDIU claim is being deferred until all other pending claims are adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted a 30 percent rating, but no greater. The Veteran's radiculopathy issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records, scheduling a VA medical examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and radiculopathy, and considering the issue of a separate rating for radiculopathy as part of the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether her past incontinence is related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability and developing the issue of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed full-time in the IT field.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, stomach condition to include GERD, hypertension, COPD to include as due to asbestos exposure, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service. The other issues on appeal remain pending and are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.