Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the current degenerative disc disease and spondylosis is not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, right knee disorder, and hepatitis C have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or etiology.

The Board is remanding the claim for a TDIU due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's employment history and incomplete information provided. The Veteran needs to provide an accurate history of his work and education, income earned, and any attempts at employment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and prostate cancer. Service connection is also granted for back disability, but the issue of hip disability remains remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for new evaluations. The issues include back disability, chest mass disability, bilateral knee disability, and hernia disability (secondary to scar and cyst disabilities).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease, and bone spur removal from the left foot, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent worsening of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, disc disease, and thoracolumbar strain prior to June 20, 2016, based on a final March 2009 rating decision finding no new and material evidence. The Board determined that the error in the March 2009 decision did not manifestly change the outcome of the decision.

The Board has denied service connection for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for left and right ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied because there is no evidence that the condition began during or immediately after military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis and IVDS is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.,The Veteran's left wrist posttraumatic arthritis with history of strain, status post left radial fracture (minor) is rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent effective November 8, 2011. From December 20, 2019, the rating for his back disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Effective December 21, 2020, he received ratings of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding no causal relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability has been denied. The Board also remanded the secondary service connection claims for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 24, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus disability is granted as service connection due to the onset in service and persistence since.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, numbness in left hand, right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military training, including parachute jumps. The decision also grants secondary service connection for a cervical spine disability, but does so based on direct service connection rather than secondary.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent, effective from September 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and whether arthritis manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right ankle, left knee, lumbar spine, and respiratory disabilities. The issues have been remanded.