Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, neck, and hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is asked to provide any outstanding VA, private, or Social Security Administration records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected headaches. The case will be returned for new etiology opinions.

The Board has decided that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and therefore it has been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since April 20, 2016. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS has been granted a 40 percent rating prior to February 4, 2020 and denied any increase in excess of that rating from February 4, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including DJD, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disorder claimed as secondary to service-connected back and/or left hip disabilities, and also denied the claim for TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hepatitis C and a back disorder due to errors in addressing relevant evidence, including the Veteran's service records and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for adjudication purposes, and thus another remand is needed to properly address the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is service-connected as it had its onset during his military service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and back disability, were denied. The Board found the Veteran not credible due to his history of disciplinary actions, substance abuse, and violent behavior.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of rating osteoporosis of the lumbar spine as it requires additional development.

Your appeals have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred during service and is less likely caused by a hard landing in a helicopter, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, was granted in an August 2021 rating decision. This decision represents a full grant of the benefits sought on appeal. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and left knee conditions, have worsened to the point where he requires constant use of an ambulatory device for walking. The Board finds a remand necessary to assess the severity of these conditions and their impact on daily activities.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his acute cardiac dysrhythmia and atherosclerotic heart disease to service.,Service connection for the right hip disability was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for colon perforation has been granted, and the issue of service connection for diabetes, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The main issues are related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, and various other conditions such as right shoulder degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine strain, hip strains, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), positional vertigo, coccydynia, knee patellar tendonitis, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being considered for their impact on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical lordosis, and compression fractures and degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine are remanded.