Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for left cardiovascular area muscle strain, but not for low back disability or other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral knee, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities. The VA will provide additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective January 25, 2016.

The Veteran's total left knee replacement rating was restored from 60% to 30%.,Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease service connection was granted with an effective date of January 21, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in his file, specifically private medical records from Kaiser Permanente. The Veteran will need to authorize VA to obtain these records and undergo examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to undelivered mail, and will need to provide the Veteran with necessary forms and information.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's back condition is alleged to have been aggravated by a weight-lifting incident during service, but there are conflicting opinions on whether the pre-existing condition worsened beyond its normal progression.

The Veteran's asthma was granted a 30% disability rating from January 6, 2017 onwards.,His migraines were denied as not warranting any compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye condition, ulcer condition, sinus condition, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.,No specific rating assigned or effective date provided in this decision.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied. A disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for melanoma due to lack of a current diagnosis. Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and lung conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for a back disability and entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for lumbar herniated disc with degenerative disc disease and spurring, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective January 22, 2019. The Board denied higher initial ratings for the lumbar spine disability prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and its relation to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. However, these claims are remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the claimed conditions.