Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar disc herniation, stenosis, and radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss and back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder bursitis, right ankle disability, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right hamstring tear, right metatarsal disability, sinusitis, and allergies with chronic hoarseness due to incomplete VA nexus opinion and need for further development.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, had its onset during active service and has persisted since then. The Board finds that the evidence supports this conclusion and grants service connection for the condition.

Service connection has been granted for a back disability, sleep disorder, pain and stiffness of the legs, and pain and stiffness of the neck.,The right knee disability remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was granted in a rating decision issued by the AOJ in May 2021. The appeal is dismissed as this issue has been resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the claims for service connection for a back disorder with an associated lower extremity disorder and flat feet.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his bilateral hearing loss and low back disability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran while the appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including on a secondary basis. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is found to be caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder, warranting a grant of service connection.

An initial rating of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain is granted prior to August 4, 2017.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for thoracolumbar strain since August 4, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, bilateral hip and ankle disabilities, and prostate disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Board finds that these claims are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to May 1, 2008. The Board has remanded this issue for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected low back strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy has been denied. The issue of service connection for an inguinal hernia secondary to the lumbar spine disability is still under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, tinnitus, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 31, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, and the case is being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss claims are also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of gastroparesis, headaches, and low back pain due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, specifically Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.