Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to his cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are also being remanded as VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability does not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment in his field of construction despite the pain and limitations caused by his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back condition and headaches, as well as to obtain relevant medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure a complete record and make a fully informed decision regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the right knee, left knee, and back disability issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine, headache, and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded for further examination and medical opinion.,Service connection is being considered for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating, and thus denied the claim. For the lumbar strain issue, the Board found that additional remand was necessary due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder is now rated at 100% effective November 6, 2016. His low back disability is now rated at 40% effective April 15, 2014. The Veteran's GERD and Parkinsonism are both newly service-connected.

The reduction of the disability rating for mechanical low back pain with thoracic strain and degenerative disc disease from 40 percent to 10 percent effective October 1, 2015 was proper. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current back condition and service or service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and ED are not service connected. The RO is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were incurred in service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including knee and shoulder conditions, as well as a lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The rating reduction for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is remanded, as well as the effective date determination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because he failed to provide necessary information about his employment and educational history, which is essential for determining if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left-hand strain, thoracolumbar spine DDD, cervical spine disorder as secondary to thoracolumbar spine DDD, and bilateral leg disorder as secondary to thoracolumbar spine DDD.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and right hip disabilities due to new evidence indicating possible in-service injury. The Veteran's STRs show a fall from a truck, but no current diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's GERD is rated 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee strain with instability and shin splints, left knee strain with limitation of flexion, right knee strain with instability and shin splints, and right knee strain with limitation of flexion are all rated 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain and right ankle sprain are both rated 10 percent disabling. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative arthritis is rated 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if this rating is appropriate.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated 10 percent disabling. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea and associated sleeping disorder. The appeals are not about service connection at all.