Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, are all granted. The conditions are found to be related to his in-service lifting injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip, knee, and low back conditions due to outstanding service treatment records and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence or a hearing regarding her psychiatric claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, rectal cancer, and acquired psychiatric disability due to conflicting opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is denied. The appeals pertaining to the Veteran's back condition and bilateral hearing loss claims must be remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected lower back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding flare-ups and their impact on range of motion.

The Veteran's GERD and OSA are not related to service, and were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is not related to service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot fourth metatarsal fracture.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip and knee disabilities, as well as his major depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The remand includes obtaining additional medical records and a new VA examination for the right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final denial. However, the claims are still remanded as the VA medical opinions provided were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for constipation secondary to his cervical spine disability. The remand requires additional VA examinations to address functional loss due to pain during range of motion testing.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,Atopic dermatitis was previously evaluated as noncompensable prior to December 12, 2018. Since then, it has been evaluated based on new evidence showing that more than 5% of his total body area is affected by the condition.,The Veteran's atopic dermatitis remains rated as noncompensable since December 12, 2018 due to lack of systemic therapy or exposure basis. The case is remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.,Service connection was denied for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome.,The Veteran's GERD and dyspepsia are being remanded for further review as service connection may be warranted based on new evidence or a different theory of entitlement.,reasoning_1_sentence_per_issue

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims for prior to August 23, 2018, were denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and various evaluations related to his low back strain with DDD, DJD, spondylolisthesis, and sacroiliitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all remaining issues. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and right lumbar radiculopathy was denied. The current ratings of 20% for the entire period on appeal are maintained.

The Veteran's effective date for adding his spouse and two children as dependents to his compensation award is denied because the required information was not provided within one year of notification.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 8, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating based on the lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 120 degrees or less, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for it. However, due to a lack of VA examination regarding his low back disability, the case is remanded.

The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective January 5, 2012. Prior to that date, he had already been awarded a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on eleven service-connected disabilities is dismissed due to the absence of a notice of disagreement (NOD) for the October 2017 rating decision that awarded the maximum, 50 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,Ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on flexion or instability.