Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed all claims, including service connection and increased evaluations for various conditions, due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his limited range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to insufficient consideration of his contention that he injured his back during service and an incomplete development of his private treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's lower back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings since August 1, 2016. The lower back disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's reports of flare-ups, inability to walk more than a quarter mile, and significant limitations on daily activities are not addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and unavailability of records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability will be reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, and low back disability due to new evidence received since the final September 2004 rating decision. The claims are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee and ankle conditions are related to service, as well as whether any existing low back condition is related to service. The examiner will also address whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, tailbone, and headaches disabilities due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining VA examinations and reviewing private medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar strain, cervical spine arthritis, anxiety, and left ankle disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The VA will conduct examinations and provide medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, skin disorder, and tuberculosis (TB) were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (PN RUE), left upper extremity (PN LUE), and bilateral lower extremities (PN BLE) were manifested with moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, sciatic nerve, respectively.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain myositis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is granted as his condition was incurred in service and there is no evidence of any other basis for the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the reliability of a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The case is now being sent back for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by active military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.