Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address all of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding spinal disorders and psychiatric conditions. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for PTSD and anxiety, and the Board dismissed claims for low back disability, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and a compensable rating for insomnia disorder. The deviated septum claim is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected right femoral neck fracture and surgery, finding that there was no evidence of involvement at the time of injury or ongoing symptomatology in the right hip. The VA examiners concluded that the DJD was less likely caused by or aggravated by the service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including jumping from aircraft during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of certain medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The cervical spine and thoracic spine disabilities, as well as the peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected thoracolumbar disability and radiculopathy prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, granting his claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to have started during his military service and has continued since, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new and updated evidence, as well as for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disorder. A new examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back strain, TBI, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disabilities, a full body rash, a stomach disability, and a right wrist disability have been dismissed. The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted.,The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability has been reopened and granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar condition, including secondary to right and left hip replacements. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, as well as his right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and back disabilities are all granted service connection.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of flare-ups prior to December 21, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability on secondary basis to the service-connected left knee disability, and a left knee scar. The Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to several claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for rating and effective dates related to lumbosacral spine strain, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for neck pain and difficulty swallowing are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the back, left shoulder, and bilateral lower extremities prevent him from working. The Board has referred his claim for TDIU to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the worsening of his back disability.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, a back disorder, and left and right wrist disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claims were remanded for additional examinations regarding his lower extremity peripheral neuropathies and right upper extremity condition.