Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of cervical spine loss of disc space height and degenerative disc disease with arthritis (claimed as osteoporosis).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and glaucoma.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions as there is no evidence showing they began during or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and due to being housebound was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at either the aid and attendance or housebound rate, as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated 100 percent disabling, is not permanently bedridden or housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities, and does not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of thoracolumbar strain with lumbar Schmorl's nodes and IVDS, as well as right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to IVDS, are denied. The Board found that no new and relevant evidence was received within the one-year appeal period following the January 2016 denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final decisions.,A claim for toenail fungus on the right foot is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease, cervical strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains rated at 50 percent, but his appeal for an increased rating is still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, a back disability, and a neck disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a back disorder and respiratory disorder due to incomplete records in the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for pseudogout, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability are still pending. The lung disability issue is also pending.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent prior to July 9, 2021 and at 40 percent thereafter. The right ankle condition was rated at 10 percent prior to October 3, 2017 and at 30 percent from March 1, 2018. The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with asthma was rated at 10 percent prior to July 9, 2021 and at 30 percent from July 9, 2021 to January 30, 2022.,The Board denied the claims for increased disability ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The Veteran's back disorder was not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a chronic, ongoing back disorder. For CFS, the Board found that the examination findings were inconsistent and requested clarification.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right foot cold injury residuals including onychomycosis, tinea pedis, dystrophic nails, numbness, and arthralgia, and left foot cold injury residuals including onychomycosis, tinea pedis, dystrophic nails, numbness, and arthralgia are all granted. The Veteran's recurrent chest disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded for further development.,Service connection claims for knee, sleep apnea, neck, upper extremity neurological disorders, and PTSD-related conditions are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional development regarding service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and neck disorders, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to injuries sustained during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine and knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), left knee strain, and right knee strain are all at issue.