Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected median and ulnar nerve impairment, left hand, is granted. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine junction contusion is rated at least 40 percent throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's left groin strain is assigned a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has found that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis, spondylitis, and stenosis. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, right rotator cuff tendinopathy, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and post-operative ventral hernia. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and a rating greater than 10 percent for right ankle strain prior to December 30, 2019 due to additional development needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of service connection for a condition of the bilateral hands, back disability, bilateral lower extremities (knees and feet), and left ankle condition. The claims are now pending again for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new one with additional information on the Veteran's low back disability, including any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine, low back, or left knee disability during service and denied service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's complaints and treatment records post-service do not establish a direct link between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease C6-7, joint pain of the left hand, and joint pain of the right hand as well as joint pain of the left hip and right hip. The Veteran's current ankle sprain was granted a 10% rating.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, and multiple orthopedic issues, were denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left kidney disability is currently rated at 60 percent from May 17, 2016. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to May 17, 2016 is not warranted.,An initial evaluation for central serous chorioretinopathy of the right eye was remanded due to inadequate examination and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's back disability, including lumbar strain and IVDS with bilateral sciatic nerve involvement of the lower extremities, is being remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a higher evaluation for lumbar DDD was denied. The Board is remanding these issues.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to December 11, 2013 is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right ankle, hand, knee, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The cases are to be reviewed with a focus on determining whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran should be provided a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine condition, including testing active motion, passive motion, and pain with weight-bearing and without weight-bearing. If a diagnosis of lower radiculopathy is found on the Veteran's lumbar examination, the Board will determine whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chilblains of the hands and feet, Raynaud's phenomenon of the hands and fingers, and fibromyalgia. The claims for low back disability other than fibromyalgia pain and left/right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the January 2006 rating decisions denying a neck disability, back disorder, and head trauma were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.