Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations in her original appeal. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, and impingement syndrome as well as low back degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both of which are determined to be related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, right knee, and lower back disabilities have been remanded for further development. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding her treatment records. The Veteran is required to identify any additional locations where she was treated in service, and VA must obtain those records.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral pain with degenerative changes is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.,TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable disability rating for his disabilities was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar disc disease was granted at a 40 percent level, effective May 6, 2011. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's back disability began during or is otherwise related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU and did not render him unemployable to warrant consideration of entitlement to this benefit alternatively on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 18, 2010.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for kidney cancer due to exposure to environmental toxins during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 12, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining records. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective July 16, 2012. The Veteran also received SMC based on housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability claim should be remanded due to incomplete records and an inadequate examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The service connection claim for back condition was also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of disease or injury during service and arthritis was not manifest within one year of separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current lumbosacral spine arthritis is less likely related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity disorder, and bilateral eye disorder due to additional development being required.