Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg disability, to include as secondary to the lumbar disability are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous denials. The Veteran's hypertension claim has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disabilities, diagnosed as posttraumatic chronic lumbosacral sprain and strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and herniated nucleus pulposus. The issues of increased ratings for left knee disability prior to September 8, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, and chondromalacia of the right knee are remanded. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with disc space narrowing, lumbar disc displacement, lumbar spondylolisthesis of L5-S1, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal stenosis, and chronic bilateral hand dermatitis with hyperkeratosis and deep cracks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, but his low back disability is not. The case is being remanded for additional development.

Service connection has been granted for a cervical spine disability and headaches. Other service connection claims are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disability. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded due to the expansion of the claim to include any psychiatric disability. The claim of service connection for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy is also remanded.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 18, 2007 and on a schedular basis from October 18, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any currently diagnosed low back disability and neck disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 22, 2021.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations performed in October 2021 are inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining new examinations to address the Veteran's hip and back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for lower back condition, respiratory/sinus condition, and bilateral shoulder conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a new theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran, contending that his sleep apnea is proximately due to obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities. The VA failed to receive any examinations or opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and failed to determine whether any of these conditions led to the Veteran's obesity which caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the veteran's service-connected conditions, including those for right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease with lumbar spine issues, left hip strain, and pelvis fracture. The appeal was also dismissed regarding TBI-related headaches and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine posterior facet degenerative changes due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether it is related to service, particularly during periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected conditions, including her recently granted allergic rhinitis.