Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 7, 2014, and in excess of 50 percent on and after January 7, 2014, for a not otherwise specified depressive disorder; for a rating in excess of 40 percent for sacroiliac arthroplasty with sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbosacral spine limitation of motion; for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis with tendinitis and sacroiliitis; and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip degenerative arthritis with tendinitis and sacroiliitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination and referral of TDIU claim prior to January 29, 2021. The left femur/knee disability remains in dispute.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in 30 degrees or less for forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine from May 8, 2014 to May 7, 2015. The appeal is granted for this period with a rating of 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a forehead scar but has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee and left lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to July 19, 2021, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his back disability.,Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted service connection effective April 22, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 30, 2015 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20, 10, and 10 percent for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee patellar chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, and right knee patellar chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disorder and other disabilities is denied, while his TDIU claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's residuals of cholecystectomy are granted with a 10% rating. The issues of service connection for psoriasis, left great toe joint pain, and chronic low back pain are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine was denied by the Board. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to May 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lower back condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease and remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, and entitlement to service connection for a nerve disability.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted on the basis that it was initially manifested during active service and aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Headaches are also granted on this basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, and the evidence is sufficient to establish a current disability. However, there is no evidence of a current COPD diagnosis.,Service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of a current respiratory disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that his right foot injury aggravated his pre-existing back condition.