Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical nexus opinions provided in response to previous remands. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his claimed conditions are to be considered, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (diverticulitis), neck disability, and back disability. However, the claim for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or due to active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD was granted an increased rating of 40 percent prior to October 8, 2019. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and right knee disability were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to his service-connected back disability is denied because the brace does not cause wear and tear to his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as documentation of his Social Security Administration (SSA) award or denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue with the nature and etiology of the Veteran's spinal stenosis. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining treatment records from Faxton Hospital in Utica, New York, and for a VA examiner to provide an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of the low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence addressing whether his lumbar spine disability, piriformis syndrome, or autoimmune reaction with sciatica and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to a service-connected left great toe disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy and his period of service. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining a new medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The claim will be reviewed with an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's back disorder and Schatzki's ring with difficulty swallowing are service-connected. However, the claim for diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,Seizures have not been diagnosed in post-service records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lipoma of the left upper back area is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and joint pain are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's back disability. The claim for TDIU is granted due to the service-connected back disability preventing the Veteran from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, headache disability, and sleep disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and various radiculopathy conditions. The Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation of her genitourinary symptoms.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendinitis is granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's low back disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for further development.,An effective date of October 7, 2011, is granted for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The low back disability claim is remanded for a retroactive assessment and a current examination, while the TDIU claim is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.