Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions and additional development is required before service connection can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and low back disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for service-connected thoracolumbar spine facet arthropathy and arthritis (low back disability), as well as more than a 20 percent rating for service-connected right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, due to incomplete examination reports and need for clarification of functional impairment.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and remanded for earlier effective dates for certain grants.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and remanded the increased rating claims for bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran's scoliosis was found to have been aggravated by her active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to evidence indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, concluding that the evidence does not show a direct relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted, with the cervical spine disability receiving a 30% rating from September 16, 2010 to July 5, 2021. The lumbar spine disability received a 40% rating from September 16, 2010 to June 25, 2013 and then a 30% rating beginning July 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and lack of clear opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his knee, low back, and right hip disabilities. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's head scar is granted a 10 percent disability rating. The low back and hand warts cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating from July 28, 2010 to July 24, 2020. Ratings in excess of 40% for the back disability and ratings in excess of 10% for both knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's OSA and right ankle sprain are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The right knee disability is granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for rating purposes, and therefore remanded several issues including service connection for lower back disability, bilateral wrist condition, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and PFB. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral hand tremors due to service connection issues. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's CAD, lumbar spine disability, and hypothyroidism are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for GERD with hiatal hernia or left ear hearing loss.,VA has determined that the Veteran's conditions do not warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the issues regarding degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and left knee lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's hypertension, dermatological disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder are all found to be preexisting conditions. The Board has determined that the claims for these conditions must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine IVDS was granted, with a 40 percent rating effective October 8, 2019. A TDIU was also granted effective February 1, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is not related to service and there was no evidence of chronicity in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar and cervical disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for private treatment records from Dr. W.W.