Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to November 10, 2009. The condition is currently rated under the General Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies between the frequency of prostrating attacks reported by the Veteran and those found by the examiner, as well as discrepancies in the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and left foot disability have been granted, but the increased ratings for these conditions remain pending. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for the low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure, and he failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, low back strain, and left leg neuropathy are all granted service connection. The Veteran is awarded a 10% disability rating for his low back strain prior to July 27, 2015, and the claim remains pending for an increased rating thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions not precluding gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the thoracolumbar spine condition, including arthritis and stenosis, as well as the bilateral knee and leg conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain a fully informed evaluation of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for a higher evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU prior to June 20, 2020. The Board has determined that the most recent VA examination is inadequate for rating purposes due to lack of testing and remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for chronic pain syndrome is granted, and he is awarded an effective date of June 21, 2013 for his right knee arthroscopic surgical scars. The claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy and right elbow olecranon bursitis with spur are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's back disorder, which is claimed as service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome and 10 percent for lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service complaints of low back pain. Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal stromal tumor and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's pes planus has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with a current rating of 50 percent from May 29, 2018. The right ankle and low back disabilities have not yet been evaluated by VA.,Service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hip disability remains pending as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and left lower extremity nerve disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues are now before the Board again.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the July 2019 denial is relevant to the claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, back disability, headache disability, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to have begun during active service.