Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with a depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disability and remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability rating, and TDIU. A new VA examination is needed to determine the cause of these disabilities and their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's in-service train accident and his current spinal stenosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disorder, lumbosacral strain, and lower extremity sciatica as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied. The right great toe gout claim is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.,VA is seeking to obtain any outstanding SSA disability records, as well as private treatment records from the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition began during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities due to incomplete development, including a need for an addendum opinion from the March 2021 examiner. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board has ordered further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective from February 1990 to May 1998.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until April 26, 2016. After that date, the disability is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to June 2, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until June 2, 2020. After that date, the disability is rated at moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve (upper and middle radicular groups).,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until June 2, 2020. After that date, the disability is rated at moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve (upper and middle radicular groups).,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated as moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until May 21, 2018. After that date, the disability is rated at moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia has been established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to September 20, 2021. The Board remanded the issue of rating in excess of 40 percent for the entire appeal period and also remanded the claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and strain of the lumbosacral spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to an in-service injury and continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is now rated at 20 percent effective October 30, 2017.

The Veteran's reduction of lumbar spine rating from 20% to 10% was improper, and the 20% rating is restored. A 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability as of August 18, 2015, is granted. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy ratings are denied. His TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disability and its relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, deviated septum, neck, and low back disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,There is no indication in the provided decision that any of the claimed conditions were related to active duty or Reserve/Reserve ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA service.