Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition was related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a low back disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his left knee disability and to resolve conflicting medical evidence regarding service connection claims.

The Veteran's back disability and related radiculopathy issues, as well as his right knee limitation of flexion and painful extension, were granted increased ratings. His left knee disability was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding peripheral neuropathy, as there are conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and low back disability are granted, with the former receiving a direct service connection and the latter receiving a 10% rating. The issue of increased rating for the low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records related to his left knee surgery and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with one related to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination and insufficient nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is requested to provide Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his current lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been granted ratings from July 1, 2011 to January 23, 2019. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability. For the period beginning December 14, 2017 to November 18, 2019, he was granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The Veteran's claims for increased ratings beyond these periods were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression, was dismissed as the issue has been fully granted. The claims of service connection for a vestibular condition, including tinnitus and secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities; lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities; and right knee disability, secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a low back disability because the evidence did not show that the November 2013 exercise tolerance test caused an additional disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) is denied. The medical evidence does not support an increased rating as there was no ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Tarui's disease, sleep apnea, depression, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to physical and mental limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and chronic bronchitis due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.