Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has ordered additional examinations and remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate previous evaluations. The Veteran's eustachian tube dysfunction, left Achilles tendon injury, and lumbar spine disability are all under review.

The Veteran's DDD with spondylosis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent from June 27, 2013 to March 12, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand directive and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render them unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the low back disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or results from the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's daughter, D.L., is being considered for recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support before the age of 18. The claims for service connection and reopening are inextricably intertwined with this matter. Additional records from Nemours Health and private primary care physician need to be obtained.

The Veteran's initial and current ratings for lumbar discectomy are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a renal condition, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating. The right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.,The claims for service connection of the bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during or related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for PTSD, low back disorder, and right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not pre-exist his military service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's disabilities were not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are more likely related to age-related changes rather than service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, low back, right ankle, and bilateral foot disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to March 13, 2020 and at 70% from that date. Service connection for low back and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted.,A remand was ordered for the claim regarding a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU rating prior to June 30, 2015 due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding her educational history and employment status. The Veteran is given an additional year to provide the requested forms.

The Board denied service connection for sacroiliac osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and headaches as these conditions are not related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease, status post lumbar fusion and disc surgery, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service back injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.