Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from August 22, 2016. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a right-hand disability (dominant), degenerative disc disease with right lower radiculopathy (claimed as low back condition), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee have been remanded due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right-hand disability (dominant) and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for her right sacroiliac (SI) strain with intermittent radiculopathy to the right hip, finding that her current diagnosis is related to her military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and a back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his in-service injuries or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for thoracic spondylosis, a T11 vertebral fracture, and a lumbar strain. The effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's low back scar is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and low back disability due to inadequate VA opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral hip conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reopened, but further examination is needed to determine if the conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right ankle, and rectal conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left leg radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities' potential impact on his obesity and whether it contributed to or aggravated his low back degenerative disease.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations for various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also remanded claims for sinusitis, an autoimmune condition (claimed as fibromyalgia), a respiratory disability, and OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service, particularly the motor vehicle accident in May 1988. The VA is asked to obtain updated treatment records and provide additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hand disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder as these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar IVDS with DDD and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent from November 4, 2019, and a separate 20 percent rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy since July 1, 2016.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar IVDS with DDD manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees from November 4, 2019.