Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and sinus disorder due to incomplete records and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, but not higher. The Board did not find any additional symptoms warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability was granted effective May 11, 2016. The Veteran requested earlier dates, which were denied as there was no indication of intent to claim these disabilities prior to that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted service connection effective May 11, 2016. Again, the Veteran requested earlier dates which were denied as there was no indication of intent to claim these disabilities prior to that date.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to delays in processing and incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 10, 2014 for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date was February 10, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was also denied as it should correspond to the effective dates for service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability began during his service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left foot osteoarthritis with hallux valgus, and right foot osteoarthritis with hallux valgus. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including VA and non-VA treatment records. The examiner is also asked to assess the severity of his IVDS and determine if he has experienced incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left thumb condition, right thumb condition, and low back disability due to a lack of VA examination in response to these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The left epididymal head cyst and left hydrocele are each rated as non-compensable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, pes planus, right shoulder and arm disability, and back disability are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to his service.

The appeal for service connection for low back disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity is dismissed. The appeals for hyperlipidemia, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, muscle atrophy, CIDP, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for a right eye condition and a back condition due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and gastrointestinal disability, to include ulcers due to insufficient evidence. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and back condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,The Veteran was treated for right shoulder pain during service but no current disability has been established. The VA examiner concluded that any current right shoulder condition is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine arthritis as there are outstanding service treatment records from his periods of active duty, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent disability rating for his service-connected back disability, finding that there was no evidence of sustained improvement under ordinary life conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and nerve damage in right arm and hand, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for a dental condition and remanded his claims for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, neck pain, and lumbar strain with mild DJD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, hemorrhoids, and migraine headache disorder.,These issues are being remanded for further evaluation.