Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities are being returned to the RO for additional consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40% rating, but not higher. The left ankle and great toe disabilities are denied ratings in excess of the current 20% and 10%, respectively. Service connection for glaucoma is remanded. Other issues on appeal are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar cyst and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran had these conditions during or proximate to the pendency of his claims.,Service connection was also remanded for left arm disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since March 5, 2018.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of information regarding the qualifications of the December 2017 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the Veteran's second period of active duty service between May 1981 and March 1985. The appeal is being returned to the RO for compliance with the previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed, but no decisions have been made yet.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to scheduling problems for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in measurements and the Veteran's recent increase in fall frequency. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine his current leg discrepancy.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The issue of TDIU remains pending due to the remand for a VA Form 21-8940 submission.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is denied as there are no incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) prior to June 28, 2019, is denied due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) prior to June 28, 2019, is denied due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent from March 7, 2015 to October 10, 2017. From July 6, 2022, the rating is denied.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 10, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and a compensable rating for the listed conditions, effectively dismissing them.

The Veteran's lumbar disability was found to be normal prior to August 15, 2013. From that date forward, the disability was characterized by limited flexion.,Radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve was found to be mild in severity.

The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure a VA examination is conducted. The claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected back disorder, left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, as well as the claim for a TDIU prior to August 6, 2009, and the appeal involving SMC.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which may be related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current low back disorder. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the spine, which he contends are related to an in-service injury during service.