Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 14, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically worker's compensation records from a 1986 work-related injury. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records and provide the Appellant with authorization to seek non-VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the Veteran's report of in-service events. A VA examination is required to determine if any current low back disorder or right leg neurological disorder are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected osteochondritis (claimed as chest pain) is granted a 10 percent disability rating. Service connection for the cervical and lumbar spine disorder, which is not related to his right hip/thigh condition, is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as a cervical spine disability. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disorders including ankylosing spondylitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. Service connection for PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Chronic Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Back Condition, Left Hip Condition, Right Hip Condition, Left Ankle Condition, and Right Ankle Condition. The Veteran's claims for TBI and Undiagnosed Sleep Disturbance or Insomnia have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the TDIU claim prior to March 29, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board found that this rating is not in accordance with the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it was incurred in or is otherwise etiologically related to military service. The decision is based on evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and her in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right leg radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for bilateral leg radiculopathy as of October 27, 2016, but the claim for his lumbar spine disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urticaria has been reopened and granted. Service connection for hypertension is also granted due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.,Service connection for a back disability, glaucoma (secondary to DMII), stroke residuals, and neurological disability of the lower extremities (sciatica) are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 15, 2014.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective February 3, 2014.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right leg wound has been reopened due to new evidence, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lumbosacral derangement including herniated discs.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders, as well as secondary service connection for knee and shoulder radiculopathy. The AOJ must obtain VA treatment records from Shreveport VAMC and private medical records if available.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted increased ratings, with the effective date set at November 9, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 and a positive nexus opinion.,The Veteran's claim for Lumbar Disability was denied as there is no current disability record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her lumbar degenerative disc disease due to inadequate examination findings. The case is sent back for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to attend VA examinations without good cause.