Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is granted with a rating of 30 percent. The right-hand disability and joint pain disorder are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding reductions in disability ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis status post multiple laminectomies, lumbar facetectomy and posterolateral fusion, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy as the Veteran had died.

The Veteran's initial rating for associated lumbar spine radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE), is remanded due to a lack of notification and the need for a current examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, skin disorders, a lumbar spine disability, GERD, right knee disabilities, and TDIU. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from February 1, 2000. The effective date for the TDIU is set at February 1, 2000.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's back condition is related to his military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 31, 2006. The Board also referred the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2006 for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if his pre-existing left knee condition was aggravated by military service and whether his current back, hip, and shoulder conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's right small finger fracture is denied a compensable rating.

The claims for service connection of right knee and low back disabilities have been reopened. The claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder including depression has also been reopened, but the claim for service connection of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran and his attorney withdrawing their appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, pes planus (flat feet/ fallen arches), and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine have been granted. The cervical strain claim was reopened due to new evidence linking it to a service injury. Pes planus is considered directly related to service. Cervical strain is found to be secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and associated radiculopathies due to incomplete examination findings. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a TDIU determination based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and posterior tibial tendonitis, is granted a separate rating of 20 percent. Service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with mast cell activation disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right-hand disability, left-hand disability, and POTS are all granted. Service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition and its relationship to his service-connected left foot condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate opinion from a clinician that considers the Veteran's lay history, prior medical records, and relevant literature.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar osteoporotic bones with scattered degenerative changes, left and right sciatic nerve disabilities due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between her current back disorders and an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service. The case is sent back for a new opinion.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.,The issue of an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability prior to November 1, 2015, and a higher initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to unclear evidence from previous examinations.,Service connection for OSA is also remanded as secondary to service-connected low back disability and depressive disorder.