Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left wrist condition is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted, as it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, asthma, and orthopedic conditions.,The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative arthritis and right ankle condition are remanded for further development.,Service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide further private or VA medical records, and he will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to discuss certain evidence. The Veteran's low back condition will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability (previously characterized as sciatica) has been reopened, and the case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to his Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for a right hand disorder. The lumbar spine disability is found to be related to active duty service, while the right hand disorder is not.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and hypertension are being remanded due to new evidence that has not been considered by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD and anterior cruciate ligament tear, right knee DJD, and lumbar spine degenerative changes. The case of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and military service, respectively.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Left Shoulder Disability, and Back Disability. Service connection is granted for the Back Disability but remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The issue of TDIU prior to January 19, 2017, is remanded for further review.

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

The Board has determined that the original rating decisions denying service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), a lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and a dental condition were incorrect due to a failure to consider new evidence. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn or dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD, urinary incontinence, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine meet the criteria for increased ratings but requires further development before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, right knee tendonitis/tendinosis, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but the issues of secondary service connection for left and right knee and foot disorders remain unresolved. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, is rated at 20 percent effective October 3, 2017. Prior to this date, the condition was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.