Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that his current condition is less likely related to his military service and more likely due to genetic factors and smoking.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Herpes was not diagnosed during service and no evidence supports its relation to service. ,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (migraine headaches) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (an acquired psychiatric disability) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity meets criteria for a 20 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. However, the claim is denied as there is no medical evidence showing that the current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing medical records and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's lung disability is suspected of being related to his service exposure to Agent Orange, but a formal opinion is needed. His hearing loss also needs to be re-evaluated as he claims it has worsened.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are not service-connected as they did not have their onset during or within one year after service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the lack of compliance with prior remand directives and the need for a proper medical opinion considering all evidence of record, including lay statements and SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability (including as secondary to the back disability), and right foot drop are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating from November 1, 2015 to June 4, 2018. A 30% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to March 24, 2014 and TDIU was granted prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for a lower back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for pulmonary embolism and lumbosacral strain with lumbar disc disease require additional medical examination to determine the current severity of his conditions, including any psychiatric impairments. The appeals are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for back disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as right wrist metacarpal fracture residuals due to the need for additional development.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and must remand the claims for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for lipomas due to the need to address new lipomas found during this appeal, including those in the right forearm and deltoid, bilateral breasts (numerous), and left posterior lower flank (two) palpable ill-defined subcutaneous masses that were tender to palpation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 24, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.