Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction, mechanical low back strain, coccydynia, and right shoulder tendonitis and bursitis due to conflicting evidence of record. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a respiratory condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, hypertension, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to new evidence received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for PTSD, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Parkinson's Disease, and Degenerative Arthritis of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder as a result of VA treatment, a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and a low back disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records are needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings. The cause of death is also being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, wrist, ankle, and lumbosacral disabilities. Service connection was granted for eczema and bilateral eye keratoconus. Migraine headaches were presumed to be incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disability and multiple orthopedic disorders, have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 16, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2015 VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to support his claims. However, the Board found no evidence of a current disability or a nexus between any claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service as a paratrooper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his back disability, tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and neurological disability of the right lower extremity. The claims are also being remanded to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain and sprain, as well as her claim for COPD. The VA must obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the lumbar condition prior to March 27, 2019, and an addendum opinion addressing whether COPD was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's contentions and the time since his last examination. The hearing loss claim is remanded for a new VA examination, while the other claims are remanded for obtaining complete VA treatment records from the early 1990s to May 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain with DDD s/p L5-S1 fusion is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. The claim for TDIU prior to March 18, 2016, is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for erectile dysfunction and a rating for the lumbar spine disability. The TDIU is granted from June 25, 2009.