Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, an eye disability, a heart disability, a left arm skin wound, and loss of teeth. The reasons given were that the Veteran refused to cooperate with scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability was denied. For the period prior to September 18, 2020, the rating remained at 10 percent and for the period from September 18, 2020, it remained at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including confirmation of herbicide agent exposure and VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the potential need for a TDIU determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back disability. The Veteran will need a new examination and addendum from an examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded to obtain VA examinations.,VA is required to schedule the Veteran for a comprehensive examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee, back, elbow, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted and must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on your claims. The AOJ will consider this new evidence in their next review of your case.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's low back disability, which had its inception during active duty. The condition is secondary to medications used to treat his service-connected migraines and orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is also granted as service connected, with the condition being secondary to medications for his service-connected migraine headaches and orthopedic conditions.

Service connection for a lumbar spine condition, headaches as secondary to service-connected TMJ, and a bowel condition occurring in a Persian Gulf veteran has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot conditions and an increased rating for acne have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to additional evidentiary development. The claims are being remanded because there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities were incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain lower back disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder. The case will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with varus deformity and left ankle fracture with limitation of motion and left knee condition with arthritis, as well as an increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are necessary to determine the etiology of the appellant's claimed right arm disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral shin splints. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty has been associated with secondary bilateral hip, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities. These issues have been raised by the record and need to be addressed further.