Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative disc disease C5-6, right arm numbness and tingling, and right shoulder condition have been reopened. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding aggravation during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, pelvic disability (status post bilateral hip replacements), and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal to increase her rating for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as she withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected neck, back, and knee disorders have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a neck condition, low back and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's back condition is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for pelvic disability, hypertension, and lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and IVDS. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability prevents him from following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a low back disability, finding that the current disabilities are not related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected DDD with spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 16, 2021 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran is also having his right shoulder and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome evaluated as they have not been examined in over a year.

The Veteran's initial rating for chronic lumbar strain was granted at 20 percent, effective February 16, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating beyond the initially assigned 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and L4-5 spondylolisthesis. The effective date of the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, back and right ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability.,Service connection was also denied for a left ankle disorder (strain).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or their relationship to his service-connected shell fragment wound.

The claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if it is related to service-connected knee pain.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 was denied. Her claim for individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied as her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with a current evaluation of 0%.,The Veteran's left knee and back disabilities have not yet reached the criteria for increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation and functional capacity assessment. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened since his last evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability beginning October 7, 2013. The TDIU and SMC claims are also pending as the Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100 percent schedular rating.