Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, left ankle condition, low back condition, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a condition of the bilateral feet other than pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no medical opinion linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for new VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for effective dates prior to June 16, 2009, for lumbar strain and left knee disabilities as the Veteran opted into the AMA review system.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other conditions prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, but only beginning December 16, 2020. TDIU is granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records from before 1996 and private treatment records from Moncrief Army Community Hospital. The Veteran is also required to undergo new medical examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a completed VA Form 21-8940, Veteran's Application For Increased Compensation Based On Unemployability (TDIU application).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including back disability, neck disability, shoulder disabilities, knee disabilities, calf disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted. Service connection is also granted for hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for low back disorder, left lower extremity disorder (sciatica), COPD, and sleep apnea due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disorders, as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions addressing both direct and secondary theories of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, left elbow, and right elbow disorders due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

Service connection is granted for left ankle arthritis, right elbow condition, and left elbow condition.,Service connection is granted for left ulnar neuritis. Service connection is denied for left rib condition.,Service connection is granted for lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated and are now at their maximum allowable levels. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on additional disability or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings and increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA or private treatment records and undertake additional development if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.,The Board also remanded the issue of right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any current left foot disability is related to active service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.,Claims for higher ratings for chronic sinusitis prior to March 2, 2020, and from March 2, 2020, are both denied. The Veteran has experienced non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis in the past year but no incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including neck/cervical spine disability, back/thoracolumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right hand numbness, scars, recurrent right ankle sprain, right foot disability, left foot disability, right kidney disorder, and left kidney disorder. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in its decision and the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lower back disability and his service.