Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, but the Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a muscle group XIX injury and its residuals, but remanded the claims for lower back disability and scars to left elbow, bilateral legs, and buttocks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteopenia of the lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities was denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective April 26, 2016. Both left and right hip disabilities are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities were not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 9, 2019. The Board denied all issues on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar back strain with muscle spasms before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider lay evidence regarding in-service low back pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of OSA and pes planus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Board requests additional opinions from VA medical professionals to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) from January 2, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Service connection was denied for thoracolumbar spine disorder and left shoulder disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's low back disability prior to June 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is required to provide a new opinion addressing whether his current conditions are related to his bilateral knee conditions or service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from March 30, 2010 to November 21, 2011. An effective date of March 30, 2010 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral foot disorders, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service experiences and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's hallux valgus of the right foot is granted a 10 percent rating. The lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease prior to August 4, 2015 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left index finger laceration scar residuals was denied.,Service connection for a low back disability, sleep disturbance (proximately due to the low back disability), and chemical burns of both elbows, buttocks, and groin were granted. Service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability may be related to service and is remanding for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an opinion on whether his current condition likely had its onset during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development as an additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea in the Veteran's records.