Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected back disability prior to November 25, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent from that date is denied. The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was granted service connection but remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for lumbar spine strain from May 1, 2021 is denied.,A rating higher than 40 percent prior to May 1, 2021, and higher than 20 percent thereafter for the same condition is also denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has found that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurological disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim regarding increased disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder due to bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the Veteran's back disorder, including whether it is related to his military service and if it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 27, 2015 did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and upper back disability are not due to his active-duty service. The claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and other disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed disabilities due to lack of medical evidence showing a relationship with service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is now rated at 40% effective September 10, 2020. Other conditions have been denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating of 20 percent for spondylosis at L5 with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder and for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's back disability, right knee instability, and left knee instability are rated at the lowest possible compensable levels (10 percent), with no higher ratings granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a left shoulder disability, bilateral wrist and ankle disabilities, and a back disability have been denied. The right shoulder disability, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination.,The Veteran was not provided with examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed conditions by VA since those in February 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives and a need for further medical opinion regarding service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a TDIU beginning January 3, 2018.,Prior to July 27, 2017, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. After that date, it was denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.