Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin condition, and a back condition due to various procedural errors and the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC based on various conditions, including a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision found that there was no evidence of VA fault or unforeseeable events causing the disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted service connection based on direct evidence of in-service injury. The respiratory disability is granted service connection due to the PACT Act presumption for Gulf War Veterans exposed to fine particulate matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and a TDIU prior to November 27, 2019 due to insufficient evidence regarding whether he has unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to attend another examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disorder, back injury, and left foot sprain. The Veteran's right eye disorder is not related to his active duty service or ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. His back injury is not related to his military service. His left foot sprain is not related to his military service.,The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis for the claimed conditions and concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's active duty service and any diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar disc degeneration, cervical strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right hip and pelvic pain due to procedural issues with the Notice of Disagreement form.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent, with a finding of mild incomplete paralysis. The femoral nerve involvement is also considered to be mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will be provided a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and service connection for PTSD is granted. An initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 27, 2020 is also granted. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for flat foot, left great toe injury, and low back condition due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and service. The Veteran's subjective complaints of pain are also noted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his active duty or National Guard service. The Board noted that there was no evidence of chronicity since service and found the Veteran's reports of continuous pain after an in-service injury to be less credible.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a previously denied claim for bilateral foot/toe condition was denied.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen a previously denied claim for lower back condition was granted, but the service connection itself remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his lumbosacral spine disability. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his service, including his lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her service connection claims and TDIU claim prior to October 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain with IVDS, left knee strain with chondromalacia, and right knee strain with chondromalacia and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to incomplete records and need for an addendum opinion addressing the ameliorative effects of medication on his disabilities.