Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is dismissed as the grant of service connection encompasses the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability with radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence of a lumbar spine disability in service or arthritis within one year following service. The VA examiner concluded that the current low back disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of groin surgery, headache disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is also granted.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeals challenging reductions in ratings are granted with restoration of compensation levels.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder. The case is remanded for further development on several issues, including entitlement to increased ratings and service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid condition and a back condition, finding that the current disabilities were not incurred during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing secondary and aggravation theories. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are believed to be contributing factors.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case is remanded for further examination regarding hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition, sinus condition, low back injury, and COPD due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as there is insufficient evidence or further clarification needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bilateral shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether the reduction in evaluation for degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 narrowing and lumbosacral strain from 40 percent to 10 percent effective September 1, 2018 was proper, and entitlement to an evaluation greater than 10 percent for this condition. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 narrowing and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and right leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to address the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral leg sciatica due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hand essential tremors were granted service connection on a direct basis. The issues of malaria, immunodeficiency disorder, chronic bronchitis, left thumb sprain, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right knee strain, left knee strain with limitation of extension, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar strain, left hip strain, and post traumatic headaches are all pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder and sciatic nerve disability (associated with a low back disorder) due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms and chronicity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his low back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis, back disability, and right shoulder disability due to outstanding treatment records and the need for current VA examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected hepatitis C. The issues of higher initial ratings for various joint disabilities and radiculopathy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical records to be obtained and for VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are also remanded to determine service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder.