Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete development, including a need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for VR&E benefits to purchase various items under an ILP due to his service-connected disabilities and lack of feasibility in pursuing a vocational goal.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back and hip conditions are related to his service-connected shin splints or an in-service injury. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection are all remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from Madigan Army Medical Center and Brooke Army Hospital. The claims are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating for the period prior to June 2, 2021.,A higher than 40 percent rating is denied from June 2, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical questions and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee traumatic arthritis, and left knee instability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to December 4, 2019, and at 20% thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service or his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and a need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disabilities is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for sleep disability, anxiety, pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are reopened. The appeals for these issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions. The claims are now pending again with the VA.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis, thoracic and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the claim for TDIU because the Veteran has consistently engaged in substantial gainful employment throughout the relevant period on appeal.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The bilateral foot disorder and back disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. A retrospective opinion is needed to determine the severity of these conditions throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inability to make a fully informed decision and financial constraints preventing new examinations. The AOJ is instructed to reinvestigate options for obtaining necessary examinations abroad.