Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left knee, low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to correct duty-to-assist errors in the prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals of his claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and asthma have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right/left hand/wrist disabilities (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the L-S spine has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability is being remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate March 2020 examination report, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability during a specific period.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied service connection for hypertension. The low back disability is found to be due to overuse in service, while the hypertension is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, and right knee disorders due to incomplete service records. The Veteran is also granted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to inadequate rationale in previous VA addendum opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and rash of the neck are not related to his active service. However, he has a diagnosed chronic headache disorder that is considered to be due to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis and service connection for a back condition due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in October 2022 resulted in the denial of his claim for TDIU prior to March 28, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including medical opinions and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since May 19, 1999. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's left hip trochanteric bursitis is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim for an increased rating for the lumbar spine condition prior to October 17, 2019, was also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to errors in assessing the Veteran's lumbar strain disability and its impact during flare-ups, which could affect his TDIU claim.