Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected back and neck conditions rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 29, 2021. The Board granted TDIU on an extra-schedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contends that his current hearing loss was caused by in-service exposure to excessive noise. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the current hearing loss disability is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.

The Board denied service connection for a brain injury, finding that the Veteran's claim is not supported by evidence of in-service injury or aggravation. The appeal was also denied for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the examiner's findings and additional range of motion data.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of her lumbar spine disability has been dismissed as she withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the case for recurrent lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's unauthorized emergency treatment at Olympic Recovery Center from September 24, 2015, to November 6, 2015, is reimbursed as it met the criteria for reimbursement of non-VA emergency care.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to potential service connection based on secondary theory. The Veteran's pes planus is presumed to be related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and an incomplete addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability. The right hip and back disabilities are remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all nine issues is remanded due to incomplete factual predicates and the need for new VA opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of VA examinations scheduled in June 2019. The Board finds that proper notification was not provided to the Veteran regarding these appointments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical evidence, specifically regarding range of motion testing for the Veteran's lumbar spine strain. The Veteran was advised that his refusal to cooperate with the examination could result in an adverse finding.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities. Service connection is granted for a low back disorder (lumbar strain) and scars of the neck.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric, hand, hip, knee, back, and headache disorders. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision without these evaluations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of diverticulitis and denied his service connection claims for sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, back condition with lumbago, and residuals of nasal surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine strain, service connection for left hip disability, and service connection for right hip disability due to inadequate examination reports and lack of an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of his claim for TDIU prior to December 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.