Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disorder is denied as there is no currently diagnosed condition.,A low back disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right ankle and/or right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran did not have these conditions during or within one year after her military service, nor can they be attributed to service.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no actual or functional unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or of the entire spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, which includes lumbar spine kyphoscoliosis with degenerative changes, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's back disability was caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and lumbosacral strain were denied.,His claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a cervical spine disability and headaches as the RO granted these claims in September 2021, effective January 30, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathies. The decision also noted that the Veteran's special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, lumbar DDD, compression fracture, mild bulging post-surgical L5-S1 discectomy surgery with radiculopathy, unspecified depressive disorder, and migraines and tension headaches have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for lumbar radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection was not granted for left ear hearing loss, and the Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and mesangiopathic glomerulopathy were all found to have insufficient evidence of a current disability or inadequate criteria for rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metatarsalgia of the left foot, degenerative changes of the left knee, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities (left and right), and right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.,An effective date earlier than September 10, 2015, was denied for all granted service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and erectile dysfunction have been reopened.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a low back condition and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service periods need clarification, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received since the October 2016 SOC.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected tension headaches, but has remanded the issues regarding cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was found not to be related to his active service.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was also denied as it is not linked to his in-service injury or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 100 percent, while his right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. The lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Lumbosacral Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Shoulder Strain, Cervical Spine Degenerative Joint Disease with Spondylosis, Tinnitus, and Right Knee Meniscal Tear Residuals, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).