Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to comply with Correia and Sharp requirements. The AOJ is directed to arrange a new examination that complies with these decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied due to his failure to attend a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as there is insufficient information regarding his employment history and earnings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and determining the Veteran's employment status.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for spinal disabilities, including cervicalgia, degenerative joint disease of the spine, degenerative disc disease of the spine, and spinal stenosis; as well as a neurological disability of the left upper extremity. The issues include secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition other than left foot plantar tendonitis associated with status-post callus with hammer toe deformity left fifth toe, vertigo, and fatigue due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and tension headaches disabilities due to additional relevant evidence submitted after the March 2017 statement of the case.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be related to his military service, and thus granted.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or post-service, and is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence and need for updated examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for a gastrointestinal (GI) disability and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left knee disability. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current left knee condition is related to his fall during service.

The Board dismissed all requests to reopen service connection claims for various conditions due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the appeal in August 2020.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, sinus, left eye, and back disabilities should be remanded due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back strain, including neurological manifestations. The current disability rating and effective date remain unchanged.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied prior to October 13, 2015. From that date, he received a 20 percent disability rating.,For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran received a 40 percent disability rating from October 13, 2015. For right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve), he was granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, was not shown as chronic in service or within one year of discharge. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,There is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim that he has PTSD. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's cervical strain and DJD of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, as they are less likely than not caused by or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for right shoulder DJD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's upper back disability and its relationship to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away during their pendency.

The Veteran's initial rating for a cervical strain (neck disability) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of limited forward flexion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spondylosis (back disability) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of limited forward flexion or ankylosis.