Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her low back condition, entitlement to TDIU, and increased ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but not higher, from December 17, 2014 to December 2, 2019.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year after service discharge.,Similarly, the Board determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year after service discharge.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year after service discharge.,Regarding COPD, the Board concluded that it did not have its onset during active service and was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right upper extremity (claimed as numbness of the right hand) and neuropathy of the left upper extremity (claimed as numbness of the left hand) were also found to have no onset during active service, be unrelated to any disease or injury incurred in service, and not manifest within one year after service discharge.

The Veteran's pes planus and lumbar spine disability are rated at 40% each. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine if the Veteran meets criteria for an earlier effective date or higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 15, 2015. The VA examiner found limited forward flexion of the spine (80 degrees) with pain and no ankylosis or severe guarding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, back, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 9, 2015. From that date forward, the Veteran is now granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as he does not have unfavorable ankylosis, and there are no other neurological manifestations warranting separate ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil and a back disorder, both related to herbicide agent exposure. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development. The issues include lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder disabilities, peripheral neuropathy, alcohol use disorder, GERD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for sleep apnea and neck condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for the cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to December 6, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his low back condition due to an inadequate previous examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a sinus condition due to lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain with spasms (claimed as aggravation of scoliosis) is denied. The claims for higher ratings for right hip conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left hip, and bilateral foot disability as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior decision.