Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after an addendum opinion was obtained. The claim will be readjudicated and a new SSOC will be issued.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent from August 31, 2009, to February 18, 2010, and May 1, 2010, to October 9, 2019. After October 9, 2019, the Veteran's disability was rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his back disability after October 9, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability prior to October 7, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of TDIU prior to this date and grants the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, residuals of malaria, back disability, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, lumbar spine, and related disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of July 14, 2011. The case is remanded for further development regarding TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in the previous decision, and a new opinion is needed that considers the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his low back condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, was shown to be present within one year of his separation from service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service injury and his existing service-connected condition.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but his right ankle disability does not warrant an extraschedular rating. The claims for sleep apnea and entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, bilateral hip, right and left knee, and bilateral hand disabilities. The reasons include insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating prior to September 28, 2017 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right ear hearing loss, and TDIU prior to June 6, 2019 due to incomplete VA outpatient treatment records from the San Juan VAMC. The Veteran's complete VA outpatient treatment records dated since his separation from active service, including any records from the San Juan VAMC, should be obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), and fibromyalgia. The claim for service connection for vertigo was denied, and the claim for bilateral hip disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service treatment records and conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature of his back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability, low back disability, and right ankle disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now pending before VA for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and L4-5, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.