Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The back disability claim is reopened, and the other claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and an earlier effective date have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations in determining the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, specifically regarding flare-ups and additional functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate and thyroid disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. The left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are also remanded for a VA examination to assess their relation to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand instructions and thus, the matters must be remanded once again for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient analysis of chronicity and continuity theories, non-compliance with previous remands, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2021. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for loss of bowel control, loss of bladder control, skull lesions, and low back disability as secondary to service-connected multiple myeloma.,A VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are separate from or related to the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding functional ankylosis of the lumbar spine, as well as inextricably intertwined radiculopathy claim. The case is also remanded for additional medical opinions on these matters.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and a need for an updated treatment record. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine condition is being returned for further review.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a left-hand disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's appeals are now pending with the VA for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and low back disability due to incomplete development of records, including private medical records and personnel records from his Reserve service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were remanded, and the issues are now pending again. The right ankle injury remains rated at 10 percent, while degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is also remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 3, 2011. The issues of increased ratings for the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied a claim for an increased disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain, finding that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to unfavorable ankylosis.