Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 20, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination to address the right hand disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, prior to January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 31, 2007. The Board granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for a compensable rating for hypertension and a compensable rating for a left ankle residual scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is remanded due to a need for an EMG study.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service injuries or aggravation due to his service-connected knees. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the February 2022 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and tinnitus, have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. His TDIU is granted as of January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 20 percent since January 29, 2016.,From March 12, 2012 to June 1, 2016, the Veteran was granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, right and left knee conditions, sleep disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder. The Veteran was not provided with examinations as requested in the July 2022 and August 2022 correspondence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for lumbar spine disability is also remanded.,New evidence has been received, but it does not change the disposition of any issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA examinations and requests for rescheduling. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, liver condition, lumbar strain, cholelithiasis (gallbladder condition), and chest pain.

The Board denied service connection for lower back disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, hepatitis C, and traumatic brain injury as there was no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and another for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral foot condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left-sided paralysis, heart disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.