Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. A separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted. The TDIU claim has been added to this appeal and requires additional development.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed for the claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia). The current VA opinions are deemed inadequate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records, a newly raised theory of claim regarding open burning of documents, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and lack of access to certain records. The cases are now pending further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back strain with lumbar radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the theory of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities due to in-service noise exposure and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right ankle skin condition, and knee conditions are being remanded for further development.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision summary.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an orthopedist to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is related to service or his service-connected right hip DJD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The appeal is now pending for further development and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a skin disability, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome was denied, and her request for a TDIU effective prior to March 31, 2018, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's current address. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar disc disease, L5 (back disability) has been denied. The current examination findings warrant a 40 percent disability rating and no higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no medical opinion linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's back brace, used for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, tended to wear out or tear his clothing in 2017. The Board granted a clothing allowance for this year.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 30, 2011, for the award of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine is granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating in excess of 50 percent for his PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The VA is instructed to obtain private treatment records from several providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and back disabilities due to incomplete records and insufficient opinions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their connection to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for jaw condition, mouth scars, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.