Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder and a low back disorder, finding that the current conditions did not stem from in-service events or were not shown to be related within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right ankle disability and back disability due to unclear etiology and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, spinal stenosis, and left leg neuropathy. The conditions are considered to have started during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another individual due to incomplete opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability may be related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus remands for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present left knee disability. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his depressive disorder, back disability, radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence of current severity of service-connected lumbar spine, right and left elbow disabilities. Additionally, a determination is needed regarding housebound-in-fact and aid and attendance special monthly compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a back disability due to an injury in service, as there are missing service treatment records and inconsistencies regarding the Veteran's reported injuries. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, thyroid disorder, high blood pressure, and head injury have been denied.,Service connection for asbestosis has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete or undelivered correspondence, and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, respiratory disability (chronic), obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and chronic disability manifested by dizziness.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding restoration of a 40 percent rating for a lumbosacral spine disability. The service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient discussion of previous diagnoses in a VA medical opinion and because a decision on one issue could impact another.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, sacroiliitis of the thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his back pain and related limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is less likely related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, lumbar strain with IVDS, right knee PFPS, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI, meet the threshold minimum rating requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board granted this claim as it is just as likely as not that these conditions preclude the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and need further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is granted. The Veteran's prostate disorder (including benign prostatic hypertrophy) and lumbar spine disorder are remanded, as well as his left eye disorder.