Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to the lumbar disorder. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions regarding the pre-service existence of the lumbar disorder and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, back condition, residuals of heat stroke, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a request from the Veteran's representative for information about the qualifications of VA examiners who conducted compensation and pension examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an increased rating of 10 percent for GERD. The decision is based on the Veteran's current diagnoses, service-connected left knee disability, and medical evidence supporting these determinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are both currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar strain and herniated disc is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of newly received evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding service records and missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for release of private medical records from Boston Medical Center.

The Board has decided that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 13, 2014. Therefore, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted with an effective date of July 31, 2011.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that an updated VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examination reports and considering all evidence added since the November 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence or incomplete evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee disability and low back disability for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The hearing loss case is also remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine due to inadequate examination and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has not fully considered all the evidence and remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from VA Community Care programs. The issues of rating the Veteran's back pain and migraines are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The appeal for service connection for urethral stricture is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD, osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, alcoholism, chemical dependence, and insomnia are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability due to inadequate information in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, rectal cancer, a low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are reopened as there is now sufficient evidence of association between the conditions and herbicide agent exposure.