Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic low back condition arising in service and concluding that his current back disability did not originate during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected low back disability and right sciatic radiculopathy were denied. She was also denied eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disability, a back disability, and bilateral leg numbness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, depression, back disability, sleep apnea, bilateral flat feet, right hip disability, left hip disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain treatment records, provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, and determine if any are related to service or secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations requested in the June 2021 remand were not conducted and is therefore remanding these matters for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine prior to May 31, 2017, and his TDIU claim prior to that date were both denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support higher ratings or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The rating assigned is 100%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 9, 2015, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date for his service-connected lumbar spine disability due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pinguecula (initially claimed as 'vision problems') has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of the lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 7, 2014 due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left shoulder DJD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The cases are now pending for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for various musculoskeletal disorders and a reduction in the rating for DJD of the lumbar spine. The Veteran also has an issue regarding service connection for tinnitus and another concerning TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA treatment records showing a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lay testimony about an in-service injury. The issues remain on appeal as they are not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral disorder with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported in-service injuries and ongoing musculoskeletal disabilities. The Veteran is also required to have his complete service personnel records verified, including any service in Vietnam or its surrounding waterways. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, Type II, and hypertension are related to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of certain post-service medical records and SSA findings in the VA clinician's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his cervical spine disability, which may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, and the issues of cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.