Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service connection due to in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The dental disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology. The issues remain on appeal as secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no current evidence of a diagnosed condition resulting in functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current back condition is not causally related to her in-service injury and was more likely due to age-related degenerative changes.

The Veteran's tropical sprue and lumbar fibromyositis (back disability) have been granted service connection, with the back disability receiving a 40% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for Parkinson's disease, back disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete development related to exposure claims. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about his service-connected motor vehicle accident.

The claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear pain are still pending and need further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that there was no evidence of a need for regular aid and attendance prior to September 17, 2013. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony and medical records indicating periods of assistance but not a consistent need.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability, and an earlier effective date prior to January 28, 2015 for the grant of service connection for a low back disability due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar spine DDD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 5243. The RO denied an increased rating greater than 60 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with neurological manifestations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective July 27, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to the submission of additional evidence not previously reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee disability, service connection claims for eye disability, joint pain, neck disability, headaches, and prostate cancer are all being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, lumbar spine, and hearing loss have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least November 22, 2002. An effective date of November 22, 2002 for a TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.