Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and incomplete STRs. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right thigh strain, right shoulder strain, and thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and low back disability claims are being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is causally related to his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects his symptoms.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and no higher as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability and right sciatic radiculopathy. The Veteran's left knee and hip disabilities were also addressed, with some issues resolved through restoration of prior ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete information and outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ is instructed to request updated employment history from the Veteran, obtain any relevant treatment records, and readjudicate the case.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis. The right ear hearing loss claim is being remanded due to a need for a more current VA examination. The left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis claims are also being remanded as the Veteran testified that his conditions have worsened.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, status post discectomy, is remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of prior VA spine examinations and provide estimates of functional loss due to flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, right knee disability, heart disorder (claimed as abnormal heart rhythm), and headaches due to incomplete records. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain all relevant service personnel and medical records from the Massachusetts National Guard.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective November 9, 2015.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent, effective November 9, 2015.

The Veteran's back disability and associated radiculopathy issues are remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a comprehensive examination to assess the severity of his disabilities. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to unclear employment history.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly in relation to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The current VA examinations are deemed inadequate as they did not adequately address the Veteran's contentions and provided largely the same rationale for separate etiology questions.

The Board denied service connection for mitral valve prolapse, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and back disorder as the Veteran's conditions were found to have preexisted his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring a VA addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy precluded substantially gainful employment from January 10, 2013 to June 14, 2016. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service-connected conditions or obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports this claim. Service connection is granted for insomnia. The claims for vascular condition (hypertension), back disability, neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and for a determination on whether she is unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.