Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including right hand/wrist disability, right arm disability, left knee disability, and related numbness in the left leg. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to Reserve service.,The Board also denied service connection for low back disability, right leg disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's skin condition is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The cervical and lumbar spine conditions are denied as not related to active duty, while the iron deficiency anemia claim is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate rationale in the VA opinion, and the need for a new VA medical nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were partially granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a temporary 20% rating from March 29, 2011 to June 12, 2018, while the cervical spine disability received a permanent 20% rating from March 29, 2011 to May 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a blood clot allegedly caused by a September 2007 biopsy performed at a VA medical center is denied because the blood clot has resolved and no qualifying additional disability was shown.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain prior to March 10, 2015 was denied as there was no evidence of forward flexion to less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.,A 40 percent rating was granted for DDD of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain since March 10, 2015. The Veteran's symptoms were characterized by pain and limited range of motion without evidence of ankylosis or IVDS requiring physician-prescribed bedrest.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each for sciatica in the right and left lower extremities from March 10, 2015 to September 6, 2021 were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of an examination addressing his in-service experiences. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if he currently has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's back disability, specifically during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time. The Veteran is asked to provide updated treatment records from VA and private sources.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to October 22, 2019. The current rating is the highest available based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Additional records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss, back condition, sciatica condition, left hip condition, and acquired psychiatric condition (anxiety and depression).,VA examinations are required for a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran has foot drop, which is necessary for a higher rating. The claim will be returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as his back disability, are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hearing loss. His Social Security Administration records should also be obtained on remand.

The appeal for an increased disability rating for cervical strain is dismissed. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including on direct, chronic disease presumptive, and secondary bases, is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and right foot disability, including as secondary to a low back disability due to issues with the qualifications of an August 2016 VA examiner.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and low back disability. The appellant's reports of symptoms since separation are credible, and the medical opinions support the claim that his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence added to her case file after the November 2021 Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability due to the lack of any communication indicating intent to apply for benefits prior to April 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hand and wrist condition, sleep disorder, lower back condition, right foot condition, and right knee condition are all remanded for further development.,The Board finds the VA opinions inadequate and requires additional medical opinions on whether these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU being granted for the entire appeal period.