Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's back and eye disorders are being remanded for additional medical examination to determine their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with posterolisthesis was granted, restoring the original 20% rating effective December 1, 2011. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and MDD).,Service connection was denied for sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence linking it to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted a 10% rating effective June 5, 2020. The left knee instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage are each granted a 30% rating effective June 5, 2020. The low back disability, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are all granted 40% ratings effective June 5, 2020.,TDIU from March 31, 2010 to April 6, 2015, and August 2, 2016 to July 5, 2017 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and left knee disability due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any STRs in his possession.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate reasons and bases in the August 2019 decision. The issues include rating determinations from December 9, 2010, to July 17, 2017, and as of July 18, 2017, for a back disability; initial ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is asked to provide addendum opinions that consider his lay statements about in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve disability due to conflicting opinions on their etiology. The RO will have an opportunity to reconsider these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back syndrome with degenerative osteoarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is due to natural aging process.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet her claim for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current conditions are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were denied. The reduction in evaluation from 60% to 20% was upheld, but the effective date of this reduction is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, effective May 2, 2018. The bony deformity of the mandible is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was rated at 10% prior to November 14, 2017. From November 14, 2017, until December 1, 2019, the Veteran's lumbar spine condition warranted a 20% rating.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 10% prior to December 1, 2019. The Veteran's left knee condition was also rated at 10% prior to December 1, 2019.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies are remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his conditions throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's endometriosis is granted as service connected. The secondary service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, osteopenia of the left femoral neck, osteopenia of the lumbar spine, colon surgery, appendectomy, left lapingo-oophroectomy, hysterectomy, and infertility are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including trauma of the head and body, joint pain, loss of motor skills associated with psychomotor seizures, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, are all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear dates of qualifying service and outstanding medical records. The TDIU claim is deferred until the other issues are resolved.