Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The claim for service connection for a low back disability, including right sacroiliac joint degenerative joint disease, has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for recurrent sleep disability, to include obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) is warranted due to additional evidence received after transfer of records to the Board, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for post-surgical erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis to the right inguinal hernia.,Service connection was denied for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an enlarged prostate, hypertension, heart condition, foot swelling, skin hypopigmentation, and a lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his time in service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder was granted. Service connection is now established.,Service connection for hypertension and refractive error (eye condition) were denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's ocular migraines are not rated higher than 30 percent prior to September 27, 2018.,For the period from May 3, 2021, a rating greater than 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than pes planus is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and thus, no new or material evidence was presented to reopen his claim.,Service connection for personality disorder is denied as it cannot be differentiated from PTSD already determined to be service-connected.

The appeal for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder, depression (secondary), and a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed. The appeals seeking service connection for follicular lymphoma and lower back disability have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a back disability, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression/anxiety, a right knee condition, and initial increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, and bilateral hearing loss are dismissed. The Veteran's claims for an initial increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are also dismissed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of hemorrhoids and hearing loss, and granted service connection for PTSD. The lumbar spine disability appeal is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that there is a continuity of symptomatology since separation and that it was noted during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic headaches, residuals of a right inguinal hernia, lumbar spine disorder, chest pains (cardiac toxicity), neck disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and loss of vision are all granted. The cases are remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity have been rated, but there are issues with the effective dates and clear and unmistakable error to the current ratings. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and low back lumbar strain with radiculopathy. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability or any other claimed condition related to service. The Veteran's testimony regarding his right shoulder pain does not meet the threshold requirement for establishing a present disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service and is granting service connection for this condition. The remaining issues, including those related to cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, memory disorders, and TDIU, are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete evidence.