Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and back disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional evidentiary development, including a review of private treatment records from Dr. J.E. and ensuring that the Veteran is notified of the requirements to successfully challenge the reduction of his right tibia and fibula disability rating.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities are rated at 10 percent prior to March 2, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for dry eyes as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The claim for service connection for lumbar spine condition is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity and manifestations of his disability.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity and manifestations of his disability.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity and manifestations of his disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he has a combined 100% schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities and does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of right testicular surgery, head injury, and back disability are granted due to the submission of new and relevant service department records.,The Veteran's claim for lung disability is denied as there is no evidence that his lung condition occurred during or was caused by his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral arthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to November 13, 2020. From November 13, 2020, the rating is increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and his claimed disabilities, including obesity as an intermediary factor.

The Board has determined that the June 2004 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disability was not final, and thus the claim is pending. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability may be related to service, including his December 1968 low back strain and fainting spells in service. However, the bilateral spondylolisis with Grade I spondylolisthesis of L-5 diagnosed in January 1970 is not considered a form of arthritis for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted with an effective date of March 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability and compensable rating for chest wall and lung contusion due to concerns about the sufficiency of previous examinations and the need for further clarification on service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning service connection for a lower back disability because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in May 2019.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.,There were no documented incidents or diagnoses related to the claimed knee and back disabilities during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and procedural issues. A new secondary service connection opinion is needed based on accurate factual history, including consideration of all Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions from a qualified examiner.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed neck, upper back, and bilateral knee disorders. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings are remanded due to the need for VA examinations, consideration of new evidence, and readjudication.

The Veteran's degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are granted service connection as they are causally related to his military service. However, the Veteran's scoliosis is denied as it did not worsen during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for the veteran's claim of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) as the appellant withdrew the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and gastrointestinal disability (irritable bowel syndrome) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.