Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back condition. The remand includes obtaining treatment records, verifying dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities or if his knee disorders cause any additional functional impairment associated with his back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's back, left knee, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy conditions are under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a curriculum vitae of the January 2020 VA examiner and requesting an addendum medical opinion to address whether obesity is an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected CAD and his low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since January 2022, effective from that date. The claims for right lower extremity radiculopathies and left lower extremity radiculopathies have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to June 25, 2014. From June 25, 2014, to March 25, 2022, the disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the October 2017 Board remand. The Veteran's last known mailing address and phone number have been updated, and VA examinations are scheduled for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right hip disability, and left hip disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted prior to March 27, 2001, for the Veteran's thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The effective date issue for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) will also be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability manifested by pain, left knee degenerative changes, lumbar spondylosis and multilevel discogenic disease, cold injury residuals of the upper extremities (right and left), and cold injury residuals of the lower extremities (right and left).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied due to lack of in-service or post-service diagnosis, and the absence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development, specifically verifying the Veteran's exact periods of Active Guard and Reserve (ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in fact or law.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any neck and back disorders, as there are insufficient medical opinions in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for low back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates has been decided.,Service connection for TMJ is remanded, and the issue of CUE in the November 2011 rating decision regarding lumbar spine disability is referred to the RO.