Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service. The Veteran contends that his condition was caused by an in-service incident, but a VA examiner found no documentation of injury or illness in the service medical records. The Board finds this inadequate and requests an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbar sprain prior to September 14, 2021, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition warranted higher ratings under VA's rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right knee, back, and right ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions including lumbosacral spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, Type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Appellant's sanity at the time of his discharge. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disability, and lower back disability are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and his service. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and left hip disabilities, finding that they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back injury with degenerative changes and left lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire rating period on appeal, effective as of January 31, 2022. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains denied, but a separate rating for urinary incontinence due to service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective March 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD and is currently considering a TDIU claim based on his migraines and other disabilities.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection is now established for these conditions due to the Veteran's exposure to noise during service and continuous symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective prior to December 6, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back condition, as well as his claims for service connection for a bowel condition and left knee condition. The AOJ will need to conduct additional development including obtaining new medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's back condition and the nature and etiology of his claimed bowel and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from an appropriate clinician that address the etiology of each condition, including consideration of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, cervical spine DDD, and lumbar spine DDD. The Veteran's current conditions are related to injuries sustained during his active duty.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's right shoulder strain, cervical spine DDD, and lumbar spine DDD as these conditions are at least as likely as not related to incidents in service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection. Service connection for left upper, right lower, and right upper extremity neuropathies are also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a thoracolumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant contends that his current disabilities are related to in-service injuries during basic training.