Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from April 2008. The right shoulder DJD and thoracolumbar back disability are each rated at 30 and 40 percent respectively, both effective February 2, 2012. RLE radiculopathy is not higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, mood disorder, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded on issues related to her bilateral foot condition and left leg length discrepancy. Her claim for service connection for a temporary total evaluation due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days has been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to January 26, 2017. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability was denied any increase in rating prior to November 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, and mood disorders due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of in-service documentation. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, multiple joint pain, and stomach condition have been reopened due to new evidence. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,Respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions are also being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 10 percent since November 2021, and the Board finds no evidence of additional loss of motion or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of back disability, left knee disability, and heart disability. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional records and a determination of employment feasibility. The Board will refer the issue to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it could have a significant impact on the initial ratings assigned.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia) and remanded the issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, low back disability, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The claim for restoration of the 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS effective January 1, 2016 was granted. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been granted, with the exception that VA treatment records and private medical records are still needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a complete assessment of his lumbar spine disability and effective date issues due to incomplete records. The lumbar spine claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back condition is likely due to a motor-vehicle collision during his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination reports and inextricable ties with the back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination that reports all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the disability under the rating criteria.