Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial disability rating for strain, thoracolumbar spine was increased to 20 percent effective March 1, 2013. The Board denied an increase in the rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and requests for updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and sensorineural hearing loss. The Board also denied his requests for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% since November 4, 2008. The rating for hemorrhoids remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated based on their respective service-connected conditions.,Prior to January 26, 2015, the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches has been denied.,The claims for service connection for low back disability and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for mild degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with mild compression fractures and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for unspecified depressive disorder was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 19, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's back disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an incomplete search for ship logs of the U.S.S. Hollister, which may have corroborated the Veteran's account of exposure to hazardous fumes resulting in his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left hip disability, and left leg disability due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and secondary service connection due to right hip disability. The Veteran needs another VA examination to provide these opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected vaginitis was granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding a left knee condition and a lower back condition, as well as their relationship to the left knee condition.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted TDIU beginning January 9, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a claim prior to September 26, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate previous examinations. A new examination is needed with a retrospective opinion on the severity of his service-connected back disability and peripheral neuropathy, including during flare-ups.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, ventral hernia, urethritis, and hemorrhoids as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.,Service records show some complaints of back pain in 1965 and shoulder pain in 1965. However, no chronic disabilities were noted on separation examination.

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.