Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of asbestosis with pleural plaques due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of contemporaneous medical evidence, and conflicting lay testimony. The low back disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the October 2021 VA examination. The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the claim is being reviewed for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as related to service, and his claim for low back condition is reopened.,However, the issue of whether the Veteran's low back condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes of the thoracic spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 25, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, hypertension, back condition, left hip strain, and PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and right knee disability, as well as a TDIU prior to December 29, 2020, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lower extremity radiculopathy and thoracolumbar spine spondylolisthesis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and lumbosacral strain due to insufficient information regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over a period of time.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and secondary service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's low back disorder, as well as for his left and right knee disorders which are considered secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent. The issue of service connection for back condition secondary to service-connected infrapatellar tendonitis is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip arthritis. Service connection was denied for lower back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and stomach condition are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coccydynia and thoracolumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for lumbar spine arthritis with spondylolisthesis. The Veteran should be provided a new VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed back condition.

Effective dates of January 25, 1983, have been granted for service connection of Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine and Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 1, 2004 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's sciatica is granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for increased ratings for various disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently endued bilateral big toe and lower back disorders, as well as their relationship to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are REMANDED.