Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, TMJ disorder (secondary to a service-connected condition), upper arm burns, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, TMJ disorder (secondary to a service-connected condition), upper arm burns, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, TMJ disorder (secondary to a service-connected condition), upper arm burns, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, TMJ disorder (secondary to a service-connected condition), upper arm burns, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, TMJ disorder (secondary to a service-connected condition), upper arm burns, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, TMJ disorder (secondary to a service-connected condition), upper arm burns, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include neck, ankle, foot, leg, back, and respiratory disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service and if arthritis manifested within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine disability is denied, and his right arm disability remains remanded. Bilateral hearing loss has been granted subject to further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for colon cancer, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability due to outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran is requested to submit or authorize release of any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a rating higher than 10 percent prior to November 1, 2017, and higher than 20 percent as of November 1, 2017, for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records, worsening of symptoms since previous examinations, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical examinations and conflicting evidence regarding certain conditions. The Veteran will be provided with new examinations for his service-connected neck, low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine status post spinal fusion, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a healed surgical scar on the upper posterior trunk, and an effective date earlier than May 19, 2014 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine strain, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete STRs and outstanding VA treatment records. An addendum opinion is needed from an examiner other than the December 2019 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DJD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity polyradiculopathy disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from December 7, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed. The previously denied claim of hypertension was reopened and granted a 50% evaluation. The initial evaluation for depressive disorder was granted at 50%. Other claims were remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims will be remanded to allow for these steps.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 30, 2012 is granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU effective January 8, 2010 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination opinion from June 2016, which did not account for relevant details in the Veteran's medical history. The Court found that the examiner failed to discuss the Veteran's September 2015 statement reporting a recurrent back condition since service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated as noncompensable from July 31, 1995 to April 29, 1999. From October 2, 2006, a rating of 10 percent has been granted.