Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records, including those from a VA compensated work therapy program and psychiatric hospitalizations prior to May 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar sensory-motor left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his time in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection, as it is a qualifying chronic disability that manifested to at least a 10% degree of impairment prior to December 31, 2021. The condition was diagnosed and treated for more than six months.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records from June 2010 to June 2011 and July 2020 to present. The issues of increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases will be further evaluated by VA medical professionals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to procedural issues and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence of worsening symptoms, including pain and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and restoration of reduced ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, effective from February 2015 when service connection was established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical evidence regarding the current state of the Veteran's disability, specifically his low back pain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the severity of his condition and whether he should be granted higher ratings or separate ratings for any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations regarding his claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, along with his major depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from November 1, 2008 to July 31, 2012. As a result, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability from December 9, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase to higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral wrist pain have been reopened, but the merits of these claims are not currently addressed due to pending remands.,Effective date claims for right knee and right shoulder disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Additionally, he seeks an earlier effective date for the rating assignment. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records.,The Board is requesting that the Veteran be scheduled for updated VA examinations to determine the current severity of his musculoskeletal, bowel, and bladder symptomatology.

A rating higher than 20 percent for cervical spondylitis between June 8, 2009 and January 12, 2015 is denied.,A 30 percent rating for cervical spondylitis effective from January 12, 2015 is granted.