Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues. As such, no rating or determination was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her low back disorder, which she asserts began in service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and service. The claim was also dismissed for the neck disability as it had already been granted in a prior decision.,Service connection for a neck disability was granted in October 2021, but the issue of TDIU before January 31, 2017 is denied, and the subsequent TDIU after that date is considered moot.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, GERD, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical strain.,There is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's current shoulder or GERD conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for lumbar spine disability, IBS, and cervical spine disability are dismissed as no appeal was submitted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria. The claim for left ankle disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran did not meet the auditory threshold requirements for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence of ankylosis in the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's representative argues that the examiner did not comment on whether there is functional equivalent of ankylosis, which may be considered as ankylosis under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's hearing loss and lumbar spine disability claims are denied. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is reopened, but the benefit sought on appeal (service connection) remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of relevant evidence, including two doctor reports from before the Veteran's work injury in February 1978. The case is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed and a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of various disabilities, including MRSA, legal blindness, gout, lower back disability, left knee, right knee disability, memory loss, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and bilateral hammer toes. The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for MRSA are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar myositis was granted a 40 percent rating from November 1, 2016 to March 2, 2020. The issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis is being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for lumbar-spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and obtain updated diagnostic testing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for DDD of the lumbar spine.

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

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral sciatic nerve condition, but denied his claim for a right leg injury. The decision is based on credible evidence of in-service incidents and post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity), have contributed to his need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC at the (l) level based on the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further development. The issues include arthritis, hearing loss, cold weather injuries, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, GERD, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.