Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and hallux valgus disorders, as they are secondary to service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran's assertions include a claim of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for low back pain, right shoulder pain, and neck pain. The Veteran contends that these conditions are related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused wear to his upper body garments, warranting a clothing allowance for the back brace. However, there is no evidence of knee braces being used due to service-connected disabilities, so the request for a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces was denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the July 2014 rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's OSA is now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's pulmonary disability remains not service-connected.,The Veteran's right wrist and left wrist disabilities remain not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea, acid reflux, heart disability (enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy), restless leg syndrome of the right leg, restless leg syndrome of the left leg, and TDIU are REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg, right leg, right shoulder, and back disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and a TDIU have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of an appellate decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, low back, left ankle, right wrist, and throat disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The Board has withdrawn the claim of service connection for PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but denied service connection for a lung disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disorder and increased rating for right ankle strain are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's low back disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since November 3, 2004. The appeal is remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran is granted an initial 20 percent rating for his cervical spine disability from December 21, 2007 to February 13, 2009. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2020 and at 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the injury sustained during service had its clinical onset or is related to the March 1974 in-service back injury.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, which currently results in a 60 percent disability rating. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his condition and associated neurologic symptoms.