Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues include PTSD, depression, low back disability, left knee disability, polymyalgia, DVT of the legs, pulmonary embolism, and hernia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed deviated nasal septum, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, or right knee disability at any time during the period on appeal. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is less likely than not related to his active duty service. These issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain and right elbow epicondylitis, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all diagnoses during the appeal period.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection for bilateral hip disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection for back disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which grants SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. As a result, there is no question left to decide regarding entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a more complete medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, as the previous VA examination was deemed inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right sciatic radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability, as the previous VA examination was inadequate. The claim will be reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The case is now pending further review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher disability rating for low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning an effective date earlier than January 23, 2014 or a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound criteria is granted since March 11, 2013. The TDIU claim from December 10, 2003 to March 24, 2007 is denied.

The appeal for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle disorder, disability of the ball of the left foot, bilateral sciatica, bilateral hip pain, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and right ankle strain has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for a low back disorder and right ankle strain have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient range of motion measurements and functional ankylosis assessment in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains under review.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and whether he required aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities, as well as back and right ankle disabilities. Service connection for neck disability was dismissed.,The Veteran's right and left knees are found to be related to service due to degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he sustained injuries during basic training, but there is no credible medical evidence to support this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity, and insomnia, fatigue, and memory loss secondary to sleep apnea and thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease with osteomalacia have been granted. The reduction in disability ratings has been reversed.