Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from May 2, 2022. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and to determine whether his neck condition is related to military service. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The VA will need to make reasonable efforts to obtain these records from identified private doctors.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the final June 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete evaluations, including a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent from March 17, 2004 to November 4, 2005 due to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less. The rating is effective as of March 17, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and onset of his left leg and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their relationship to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo further testing to determine if her voiding dysfunction is related to her back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and a right foot condition (claimed as right foot fracture) due to the lack of current diagnoses. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and attempting to obtain employment information from Labor Ready Beaverton.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his lumbar spine and right wrist conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis of the right wrist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, associated with lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding no current diagnosis of LLE radiculopathy and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the condition and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his pending claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain, a compensable rating for headaches, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding the evidence against these claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including ED, bladder disorder, bowel disorder, neck disability, upper and lower extremity neurological disorders are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidence and an examination, as well as addressing potential legal errors in previous decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lower back disorder, but the VA examiner did not address his lay statements and private medical records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the left upper, right lower, and left lower extremities have been remanded for further development.