Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, a recurrent sleep disorder, and a lumbar spine disability as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and low back disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, and rhino-sinus disorder due to incomplete service records and unassociated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish a link to service or show onset within one year of service.,The Board also denied service connection for low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, right ankle condition, and chronic bronchitis with asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and neurological disorder due to inextricably intertwined with pes planus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for his lumbar spine disability was not granted, and he did not receive a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss but not for cervical or bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left leg radiculopathy are being evaluated again, and a TDIU claim is also being referred for consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), has been rated at 40 percent since May 25, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for verification of National Guard service periods. The Appellant's conditions are being evaluated based on their onset during active duty training.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders.,Service connection is also remanded for a left elbow disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his in-service fall from a naval ship, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability is granted.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and index finger conditions have been reopened. The Board has determined that new evidence received since the previous decisions supports reopening these claims, but remands them for further development as they need to be reviewed by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied because he failed to report for the scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy were denied. The rating for the back disability was maintained at 20% from August 27, 2012 to March 19, 2013, and then reduced to 40%. Ratings for radiculopathy of both legs have also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the Board finds that further development is needed to determine if his sleep apnea and low back pain are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in medical opinions, while his bilateral plantar warts are being remanded because of insufficient information regarding the number and size of the warts.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate evaluations of his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.