Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions relied upon in making the decision are inadequate, as they did not adequately address the Veteran's reports of an altered gait or limp associated with his right knee disability. The claim is therefore being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right lower extremity pain, including sciatica and radiculopathy. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during or were related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis and an initial compensable rating for a vertebral fracture due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues are related as they both involve the Veteran's service-connected vertebral fracture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, cervical spine, elbow, wrist, back, hip, ankle, foot, and psychiatric conditions. The decision also notes that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, tinnitus associated with TBI, and headaches related to TBI, are not considered sufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for low back and left shoulder disabilities, finding no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist CTS, right wrist CTS, PTSD, tension headaches, and cervical spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

A 20 percent rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back disability) is granted from August 28, 2017 to July 5, 2022.,Prior to August 28, 2017, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected back disability is denied.,A rating in excess of 20 percent from July 5, 2022, for service-connected back disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, finding that it is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided do not substantially comply with the May 2022 remand directives and another remand to obtain a new VA examination is necessary.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's account of multiple in-service treatments and continuous pain was not credible. The medical evidence indicated his current condition was caused by aging rather than any incident during service.

The Veteran's right knee replacement is granted with a rating of 60 percent effective October 1, 2011.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve the anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, nor do they cause him to be permanently bedridden or render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left leg disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various disabilities and a claim of ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining private treatment records for the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as they did not have their onset in service and were not found to be related to his service.,The left calf muscle injury is not considered secondary to the service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.,Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was also not found to be service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is related to service despite conflicting opinions. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.