Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The decision is based on the current evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of back condition, GERD, sinus condition, respiratory condition, and scars are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional testing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, and skin disability (claimed as chemical burns to chest) due to missing service personnel records and treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a lower back disorder due to procedural issues, but did not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic headaches and migraines are not related to her service, and therefore, denied service connection for these conditions. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability and back disability have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability in the right ear, and left ear hearing loss was rated at 0 percent. Hypertension, GERD, cervical spine degenerative joints with herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulpous with radiculitis down posterior leg, right knee effusion/degenerative changes, left knee degenerative changes, and OSA were not granted increased ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a post-service back injury, and the Veteran's testimony that he did not sustain such an injury is being considered. Service connection for chronic lumbar strain is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, chest pain, sleep apnea, tingling in hands, and skin condition. The decision is based on a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including back disability and IBS. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuritis, 40 percent for mechanical low back pain, and 70 percent for PTSD from August 24, 2015 have been dismissed.,The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD from September 18, 2007 to August 23, 2015.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for lumbar spine condition, PTSD, and anxiety disorder was granted. Service connection is established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding private treatment records and to adjudicate a TDIU claim based on the current rating of the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee condition and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for intermittent lumbar strain (back condition). The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

Your appeal to increase the rating for your low back disability has been withdrawn by you. As a result, this case is dismissed.

The Board dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's knee and instability issues, as well as the application to reopen a claim for lumbar spine disability due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar discogenic disc disease is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, with forward flexion of the spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.