Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination, and a new addendum opinion is required.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an initial rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar strain. The right shoulder issue was remanded.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, as determined by the December 2019 VA examination.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbar strain and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 2012. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he was granted a TDIU for the period from February 15, 2012 to July 19, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any symptoms to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of back and knee disabilities on a direct basis, as the Veteran's contentions and lay and medical evidence suggest these conditions may be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary nodule/lung disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence is in equipoise concerning the etiology of these conditions, with a private examiner finding an association between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, tremor disorder, and psychiatric disorders to include PTSD, MDD, and GAD due to their secondary nature to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to the wants of nature, or require regular care from another person. As such, he is not in need of aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral foot disability, both secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. The case is returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected right hand disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, also claimed as back pain, due to the lack of evidence showing that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of evidence showing that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The appeal for service connection of various conditions including PTSD, back condition, foot conditions, and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee, back, neck, and chest disability based on the Veteran's credible testimony of observable symptoms during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and seizure disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as a herniated disc in the thoracolumbar spine, were previously denied. New evidence was submitted to reopen these claims, but it did not provide sufficient material to substantiate them.,A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss since July 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further evaluation is needed for service connection of cervical spine and low back disabilities.