Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lower back injury is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.,The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet are rated at 30% since October 16, 2020. The claim for higher ratings prior to that date is remanded due to lack of compliance with remand directives.,Service connection for chronic headaches, allergic rhinitis (chronic nose bleeding), and sleep apnea syndrome is remanded as the RO did not substantially comply with remand directives.,Service connection for cervical spine pain and right jaw injury with residuals is also remanded due to lack of compliance with remand directives.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his left ankle and low back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities were remanded for further evaluation. The abdominal incisional hernia was denied. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement and left lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement were granted initial 20 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability had its onset in service and continues to persist, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, but further development is needed as the VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated as 20 percent prior to June 15, 2013 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the issues of higher initial evaluations for both conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, a left ankle disability, and hypertension due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back condition was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a rating higher than 20 percent prior to January 16, 2020, and a rating higher than 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted such a rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for headaches due to inadequate examinations and new evidence being needed.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to inadequate VA examination in January 2022. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sciatic radicular pain of the right lower extremity are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection for occipital neuralgia was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for neck, left ankle, and low back conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for migraines has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further examination and opinion regarding her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her ability to use her lower extremities, as well as her eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or adaptive equipment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU from August 10, 2005 to August 1, 2014 as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and extraschedular referral was not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, uterine fibroids, arthritis, skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, shin splints, migraine headaches, and anemia. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability, specifically whether it is related to service or pre-existed service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the medical evidence did not support such a higher rating due to limited forward flexion and lack of ankylosis or IVDS.

The Board denied service connection for a lower/middle back disability and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service, and because the Veteran's combined rating did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy, right knee disability, and diabetes as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right foot condition, and chronic headache condition. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,There was no clear link between any of the Veteran’s current diagnoses (facet arthritis, osteoarthritis, and migraines) and his service.