Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for left knee arthritis, right knee degenerative joint disease, and back disorder have been granted. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee condition and a back condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma, low back condition, and left foot condition. The Veteran's appeal is now pending on these matters.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, hammertoes, obstructive sleep apnea, psychiatric disorder (other than posttraumatic stress disorder), right knee disorder, right hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and back disorder. The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 27, 2010. From October 28, 2009 to May 26, 2010, he received separate ratings of 10 percent for radiculopathy in both lower extremities. A TDIU was granted from October 20, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing additional functional loss during increased periods of activity. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar strain and thoracic strain, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain and arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, and thus the issue is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent evaluation for the period prior to June 7, 2019. The TDIU claim from January 1, 2015 to September 12, 2016 is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions have increased in severity since his last VA examination. He is granted a TDIU, but the higher rating claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and insufficient consideration of lay statements. A new VA examination is required from an orthopedist to determine if the Veteran's low back disability began during service or is related to his duties as a supply specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for low back disorder. The neck disorder claim was denied as there is no credible evidence of a current condition related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 26, 2013, for the grants of service connection for lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis and left sciatic radiculopathy. The evidence did not show any prior claim or intent to file a claim before this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back and neck conditions, major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, and right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 2016.

The Veteran's DDD at L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to October 29, 2018. Initial ratings of 40 percent were also granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.