Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU. The Veteran's statements about his in-service injury will be considered, along with any early degeneration or arthritis.

The claim to reopen service connection for a low back condition is granted, but the claim for service connection itself is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine with mild degenerative changes and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete examination reports and lack of qualifications for some examiners.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it as secondary to service-connected right hip replacement. Service connection was also granted for right knee joint osteoarthritis and left knee joint osteoarthritis, both secondary to service-connected right hip replacement.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 70 percent due to the Veteran's symptoms being more commensurate with his current 70 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as further evidence is needed to determine if there is a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as they are not currently in a position to be adjudicated due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's low back disability, including ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was granted a 20 percent rating for the period prior to October 25, 2017. For the period since October 25, 2017, she is now rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing an etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the back claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The claim for a right knee disability is remanded due to worsening of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete verification of his periods of active and reserve service, misfiled documents, and need for new VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service. The remaining issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the low back issue.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Throughout the appeal period, his back condition with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss should be remanded to allow for additional development of records, including inpatient hospital records from Carswell Air Force Base and William Beaumont Hospital. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's mechanical low back syndrome is rated at 20 percent effective June 6, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and low back disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected back disability was withdrawn by the Veteran through his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin condition, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of a disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.