Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of back pain since service and subsequent medical records supporting a continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and inguinal hernia disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraine headaches and an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately considered her symptoms, and there were no grounds for revision on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine the appropriate disability ratings for the period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol use disorder, as these were granted in December 2021. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and headaches are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease. The cases of right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joints, and pes planus have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to incomplete VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for retrospective findings that fully satisfy the requirements of Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and dismissed his appeal regarding a left knee disorder. The new evidence received since the last denial supports the reopening of the claim, and the Board finds that the current low back disorder is as likely as not related to the inservice combat injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, BUE and BLE peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric, cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and left knee conditions. The decision also dismissed the issue of a 10% rating based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is secondary to his service-connected hip and leg disabilities, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was incurred in active service and granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right shoulder tendinitis and DDD of the thoracolumbar spine have been dismissed as he requested to cancel his scheduled Board hearing and withdraw his appeals.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active duty service, but there are issues regarding whether his scoliosis existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and findings.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained upon remand were inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and how his back and right ankle disabilities impact his daily functioning.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability. The claim for sinus disorder is remanded.,Service connection for a neck disorder was not granted as there is no evidence that it is related to service or secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. Service connection is now established for both conditions.