Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran was granted service connection for deviated septum and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied hearing loss.,Service connection for deviated septum is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since active service. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as well due to continuous symptoms since active service.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) for specific periods, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from September 17, 2013 to December 2, 2019. The remand is due to inadequate medical examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The case will be reviewed with a new addendum opinion from a different provider.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was dismissed as the appellant withdrew it during a hearing before the Board.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted in April 2020 and is considered moot due to the dismissal of the DIC claim.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in the aggregate, likely preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for mechanical low back pain is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition, including flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, including arthritis, strain, spondylolisthesis, DJD, DDD, radiculopathy, and a total rating for convalescence based on cervical spine surgery. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact of adjudicating one claim on another.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and back conditions due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for renal insufficiency, heart condition, and lumbar spine condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand, right-hand, and bilateral knee conditions. The decision also remanded the Veteran's claim for a left ankle condition due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred during or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, pinched nerve of the left ring finger/fingertip, chronic neurological disorder claimed as nerve pain, head disorder on the left side, porphyria cutanea tarda (skin disease), vision loss, and headaches have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate December 2012 VA medical opinion and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or as due to housebound status is remanded due to unclear current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected conditions on her daily activities and whether she can leave her home.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's low back condition, malignant melanoma, ependymoma, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all under review.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 1, 2014, and as 40 percent disabling beginning July 17, 2014, are remanded. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the rating issue.