Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

Service connection is granted for low back disability and bilateral lower extremity neurological disability.,Service connection is remanded for a bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine has full range of motion and is not service-connected.,The Veteran's right wrist symptomatology has most nearly approximated painful motion, which warrants a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The left wrist also has painful motion, warranting a separate 10% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip disability, and abnormal gait have been granted. The issue of a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, and to obtain private medical records for a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability from April 16, 2013 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development due to new and material evidence being associated with the claims file since the most recent final denial of service connection for a low back disability in September 2015. The Veteran's contentions regarding in-service events/injuries (unloading and carrying heavy items causing strain) are sufficient to raise a possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no established link between current symptoms and service. The Board also found that continuity of symptomatology was not shown.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being reconsidered due to new evidence. The TBI rating remains at 10 percent, and the nasal fracture and lumbar spine disability ratings are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic headache disability are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or within one year after separation from active service. Peripheral neuropathy is also denied based on lack of evidence of onset during service or within a year post-separation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various disabilities as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis and GERD have been granted increased disability evaluations, while the other conditions remain at their current non-compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, including VA treatment records from before 2010 and private medical records from various providers. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board has restored a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was actual improvement in her condition and it reflects an improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for service connection of tinnitus and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and these issues are being remanded for further review. Service connection is granted for left knee strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD, and the Board denied this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran is presumed to have developed rhabdomyolysis from burn pit exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in prior decisions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all granted as service-connected. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of these conditions.