Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the current back disability is not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability and concluding that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to her service-connected lumbar spine.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral eye disorder due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-existing conditions did not manifest during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a back disability is denied as there was no new and material evidence received within the appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 40 percent effective August 10, 2021. The claim remains on appeal as the initial rating is still being considered.

The Board has determined that the current addendum opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new one to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to service, including his 2011 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the claims of residuals of bilateral toe frostbite, thoracolumbar spine disability, and chest pain for further development.

The Veteran's neck condition is remanded for a new VA opinion to determine if it is related to service, specifically the in-service motor vehicle accident.,The Veteran's low back condition is remanded for a new VA opinion to determine if it is related to service and whether any pre-existing conditions worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and sciatic pain due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and sleep apnea due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence, including VA and private treatment records, and an addendum opinion from VA examiners addressing the onset of his disabilities during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various shoulder, knee, and back disorders due to insufficient medical evidence addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address his service connection claim for an upper back/cervical spine disability, as well as his increased rating claims for various knee disabilities. The issues of service connection and increased ratings are related due to the interrelated nature of the conditions.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for his low back disability from June 29, 2016 to July 19, 2021.,Effective July 19, 2021, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion on whether the Veteran has a current disability, including all diagnoses, if any. The examiner must address the Veteran's assertions of pertinent symptomatology and consider secondary aggravation by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its severity. Additionally, the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the low back disability is related to service or secondary to the service-connected right knee injury.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease with disc bulge claimed as low back pain and spine curve. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including Other Specified Trauma and Stress Related Disorder and Adjustment Disorder, is now granted.,Service connection for PTSD and Crohn's Disease, to include colitis, remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from following or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, effective July 10, 2013. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from October 15, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Veteran's left knee shin splints are also rated at 10 percent as of November 3, 2021.