Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

New and relevant evidence has been received for the service connection claims of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, a thoracolumbar spine disorder, a left ankle disorder, and anal cancer. These claims are being readjudicated.,Service connection is granted for a chronic thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, are granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) were denied increased ratings.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) was also denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's left heel spur is granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disability (spondylosis) is granted service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding an initial increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, TMJ dysfunction, vertigo, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, left hip and thigh disability, right hip and thigh disability, sleep apnea, and a low back disability. The Board has dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted with a 20% rating from December 20, 2012 to December 11, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an initial rating greater than 30%. There was no reopening of service connection due to new evidence.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The Board also remanded the claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left hip replacement, and right hip replacement due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and unclear employment status. The Veteran's service-connected low back strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back conditions as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the issue of secondary aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as due to the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is needed to address the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to complications from his September 18, 2015, total right knee arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition due to inadequate reasoning in the August 2022 addendum opinion. The examiner is asked to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his service-related low back pain and its relation to post-service employment, obesity, and age.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a lack of notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied in a previous decision. New evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim, and the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS was denied higher ratings, with the RO increasing the rating to 40 percent effective January 21, 2020.

The Board has found the medical opinions insufficient for adjudicating the service connection claims and has ordered additional examinations to address all raised theories of service connection, including those related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, SSA records, and retrospective opinions regarding his back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain is granted. The initial rating for his TBI with dizziness and unspecified depressive disorder remains at 40 percent, but the initial rating for headaches is increased to 50 percent. His ratings for bilateral knee ITB syndrome remain denied.