Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and low back disability. The VA will provide additional examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain syndrome with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disorder and asthma/rhinitis issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Prior to October 28, 2014, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities (sciatic nerves) was characterized as mild. Since then, it has been characterized as moderate.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of his right shoulder, left elbow, and low back conditions. The earliest effective date possible is December 4, 2017.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in excess of 10 percent are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for service-connected myofascial pain syndrome of the low back is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a current VA examination, and retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, left ankle and left knee disabilities. The Veteran testified that he experiences flare-ups and limitations due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative arthritis and cyst, is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including missing VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations to assess his hands, sleep apnea/asthma, and right shoulder.

Your claims for arthritis of the left and right hands, as well as your lower and upper back conditions have been granted. However, your knee and kidney condition claims are being remanded.,Your peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as your upper extremities, have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that the current condition had onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection. The issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation is remanded.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is not addressed as it was not claimed in this decision.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the bilateral feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lumbosacral disc syndrome are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a back disability are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had preexisting conditions but did not worsen during service.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including dental condition, inguinal hernia repair, MRSA, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome status post arthroscopy, left knee and right knee were granted a 10 percent disability rating. The bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral flat feet was also granted a 10 percent disability rating. Service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine were granted based on their direct relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of low back tumor removal and denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, tachycardia supra ventricular (claimed as cardiac disability), left testicle tumor, and neck tumor based on substitution. The decision is final.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee meniscal tear, left knee meniscal tear with limitation of motion, left knee meniscal tear with instability, chronic right ankle strain, and scar, left side of head are all remanded for further examination and rating.