Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and arthritis of the right knee have been granted. The kidney condition is secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn for several conditions, including hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition. The claims for varicose veins, lower back condition, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain are granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lower back condition is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion, requiring further examination and a new addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The RO is instructed to obtain any additional medical records, verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service, and consider whether to seek addendum VA opinions or new examinations.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities were denied.,For the period prior to February 2, 2017, the Veteran was not granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar IVDS and lumbar strain.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and sciatic nerve disability due to incomplete consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding in-service incurrence of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete medical opinions regarding flare-ups at earlier examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as his hip disabilities, have been granted. The hip disability claims are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's back claim is remanded for additional examination to determine the extent of his lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as part of the increased rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability and scoliosis, specifically addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, left shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, lumbar strain, and hallux valgus, are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, neck disorder, and ulcerative colitis as due to ankylosing spondylitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain clinical or other records of physical therapy from his duty at Eglin Air Force Base FL during 1970-1971. They are also asked to seek a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's existing spine disorder increased in severity during service and if so, whether it was due to natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left hip, and right hip conditions due to a lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran testified about his symptoms and provided medical evidence supporting his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and depressive disorder. The application to reopen the claim for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appeal for service connection for a right hip disorder is dismissed. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is granted, and entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder is granted. The rating for cervical spine disability is remanded, as are ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The issue of TDIU prior to November 3, 2011, is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee condition are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in severity of the condition that would warrant such a rating prior to February 25, 2015.

The Veteran's spine disability is being remanded for further development, including consideration of the earlier rating criteria. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the spine disability claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and skin disability due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.