Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, right leg, and left leg disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and insomnia, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,The VA examiner concluded that the current disabilities of degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are less likely than not caused by an in-service injury during training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to her bladder disability was reopened and granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not establish that it began during or is related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and compliance with prior Board directives. The issues of increased evaluation for lumbar spine disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and left wrist and hand disability due to inadequate development. A new medical opinion is needed to address whether her current disabilities are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back condition and bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements regarding service-connected injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because of inadequate VA examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues related to the response period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence.,Service connection is also remanded for TBI - Memory Loss from Possible Concussion, low back disability - Sacroiliac Joint Condition, and acquired psychiatric disability (including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and discussion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder was aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has ordered remand for increased ratings on other issues.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 13, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of the February 2011 VA examination report, which did not provide an assessment of functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to August 19, 2013, is now pending.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for tendonitis in the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and diabetes mellitus need further development due to incomplete records and a lack of an examination for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from March 29, 2010 to May 6, 2014. The low back scar is also rated at 10 percent since May 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease was denied. The claims for an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, from April 1, 2015 to December 21, 2021 for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, from December 22, 2021 were granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back scar was denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 11, 2020 was granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including right trapezius pain, was granted service connection. Since September 14, 2017, the Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 40 percent.