Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including left ankle, right knee, right hip, back, left knee, and left hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to December 6, 2018, and at 20 percent on or after April 1, 2019. The case is REMANDED for further development.,For the period from December 6, 2018, to April 1, 2019, a temporary total evaluation was assigned due to surgical treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease was restored to a 20 percent rating, effective August 4, 2015. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the disability remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and low back disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to military service.

The Board has decided that the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions. The Veteran's low back, right and left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders are all in question, as is his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for various conditions. The RO must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The RO must develop evidence related to these claims and provide appropriate VA examinations.,The Veteran's left knee disabilities are also at issue. The RO must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for another VA examination to assess his current disability levels.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded as it involves a different legal theory than service connection claims.,The Veteran's left knee disabilities are also at issue. The RO must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for another VA examination to assess his current disability levels.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded as it involves a different legal theory than service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is granted. The claim for SMC based on loss of use of both legs, need for aid and attendance, or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's claim is granted for a temporary 100 percent rating for left shoulder replacement. The claim for service connection for chronic lumbar strain and facet syndrome, to include arthritis and discs is reopened. The claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder disability, service connection for chronic lumbar strain and facet syndrome, to include arthritis and discs, and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, headache condition, and back disability. The conditions are found to be etiologically related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left elbow, right elbow, left knee, and right knee conditions due to in-service events or injuries. The VA examinations are needed to provide opinions on the likelihood of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for neck and back disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral disc disease and right shoulder traumatic bursitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic prostatitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, including those from SSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including testing on both active and passive motion.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a total disability evaluation. The appeals for increased ratings for low back and radiculopathy disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he can perform the tasks required in sedentary employment with reasonable accommodations.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities or obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of in-service evidence and no credible continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, knee and shoulder disabilities. Additional evidence is needed from VA and SSA records, as well as medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his current disabilities.