Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his active service.,The Board also denied service connection for erectile dysfunction due to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, concluding that there is no causal link between the Veteran's time at Camp Lejeune and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand order. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to PTSD, but denied service connection for right hip and low back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of her DDD and whether she has any neurologic abnormalities, including radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's low back condition is also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 15, 2017 is being remanded. The case will be returned to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's spine disability was granted a rating of 40 percent from May 16, 2012. The left wrist disability was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for herniated nucleus pulposus, service connection for right hip disorder, and service connection for cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition due to insufficient evidence or inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for release of relevant private medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer or aggravated by his PTSD. The case needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, torso (ribs) pain, left upper leg pain, and right upper leg pain due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, elbow and knee injuries, cervical spine issues, low back pain, bilateral knee problems, left shoulder disability, and cranial brain damage. The Board found insufficient evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions were caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected spine disability prior to September 5, 2018. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for back and right knee disabilities are remanded to allow for further examination and analysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right knee, and epistaxis disabilities. The decision is based on a lack of evidence showing onset during active service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU effective October 31, 2016. He was also granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is more likely than not related to his active-duty service. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, are rated as they currently manifest. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, arthritis, low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, peripheral neuropathy, right hand, left hand, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.