Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include headaches, PTSD, brain aneurysm, TBI, balance disability, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, dental disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right thumb disability, left thumb disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a sleep disorder, heart condition, back disability, right hip disability, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.,Service connection was granted for the heart condition due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is found to be the primary cause of his Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).,The Veteran has been diagnosed with Psoriasis, a disability of the Toes, Disability of the Left Hand and Fingers, Disability of the Right Hand and Fingers, Back Condition, and Loss of Hair. These conditions are all considered to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address the etiology of any diagnosed back and right hand and thumb disabilities, as well as whether service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain prior to November 21, 2016 is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain from November 21, 2016 is rated at 40 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and sleep apnea disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia) has been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability, including associated neurological manifestations, is rated at 60 percent prior to April 24, 2018 under the old criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). From April 24, 2018 onwards, higher ratings are denied as they would violate the rule against pyramiding. TDIU was granted prior to July 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, hips, and knees as there is no evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the entire period on appeal, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities (other than bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), right and left lower extremity neurological disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine disability was denied, but a 20 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity beginning January 31, 2018. The Veteran's initial rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was also granted at this time, with a higher rating being denied thereafter. A 10 percent rating was granted for GERD with gastritis, hiatal hernia, and status post surgery Nissen repair fundoplication with surgical scars.

The Veteran's back disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination by an orthopedist. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his service, including in-service injuries from his MOS as a boilerman and fireman and lifting heavy objects.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of his Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities and low back disability due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's claims are related to his in-service injury and ongoing symptoms since then.