Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee disability is related to service and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The issues of service connection for left hand, low back, and bilateral foot are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and review, including those related to left knee, shoulder, back, ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. The issues are all secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability with radiating pain (lower extremity sciatica). Service connection is also remanded for left hip and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective January 23, 2008. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and the need for treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2019 VA medical examination and failure to adequately address all favorable evidence of record, including a June 2018 physical therapy treatment record.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities, and for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 11, 2021. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date and denied entitlement to TDIU during the specified time frame.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, including his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee, right knee, lumbar spine strain, and right shoulder sprain have been denied by the Board. The RO has attempted to schedule VA examinations at Two Rivers Correctional Institution but was unable to do so due to the institution's policies.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, wrist, neck, upper back, and knee conditions are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is also a denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety). The Board found that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed psychiatric condition in his records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service. The examiner needs to provide a rationale for their opinion on this matter.

The Board has vacated a previous decision and is now remanding the case to ensure full compliance with contested claims procedures, specifically providing K.K. with copies of the Statement of the Case and the content of the substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and remands the case for readjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for high cholesterol, heart condition, back condition, and right knee condition due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The examiner needs to reconcile findings with the Veteran's lay statements and consider his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spinal stenosis and lower, middle, and upper back conditions as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition due to insufficient opinions in VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and remanded the issues of increased ratings for neck and back disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, and right knee disabilities as secondary to residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right posterior thigh, muscle group XIII. The decision is based on the lack of current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.