Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent from June 20, 2014 to November 3, 2015 and thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lower back conditions, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted a 40 percent rating. The claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and sciatica of bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or a service-connected condition. The Board also denied increased ratings for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish that his current lumbar spine disability or sciatica were caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD and back disability, finding that the disabilities are secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a labral tear and arthritis, is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective September 29, 2013. The Board also granted entitlement to an initial rating of 40 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements and medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate follow-up of instructions from previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service. The Veteran testified about an in-service injury, but the VA examiner did not consider this testimony and instead focused solely on lack of documentation in records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion that addresses whether his DDD is related to service, including considering his age at diagnosis and any aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection for a right knee condition, back condition, bilateral hip condition (to include bursitis), hypertension, herniated disc neck, and nerve damage are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to unemployability raised by Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical DDD and RUE PN, but has remanded the issues of left shoulder disorder secondary to cervical DDD and hernia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The evidence showed that his back, knee, and tinnitus disabilities caused some limitation but were already contemplated by his current ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's duty status during his National Guard service, which impacts his entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.