Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new, adequate evaluations of his low back disability, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claim due to an inadequate examination and requests for updated treatment records and a new examination.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as a back strain. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to October 31, 2003, for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and PTSD, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's lower back degenerative condition is secondary to his service-connected knee disability. The claim for neuropathy of the left leg will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the lower back claim.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including assessing the severity of flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hip condition, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted a 20% rating for the period prior to July 29, 2009. For the periods from July 29, 2009, to November 2, 2015, January 31, 2018, to September 15, 2020, and September 15, 2020 onward, a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, heart, gastrointestinal, lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right leg, and low back disabilities as they are considered to have onset during his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 16, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disorder due to potential outstanding VA treatment records. An additional VA medical opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of any current lower back disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle and back disabilities, but dismissed the claim of service connection for arthritis. The Veteran's right leg pain is not considered a separate disability from his already service-connected right knee disorders.

The appeal for a TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% disability rating. The low back disability claim is remanded for further development, including an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment, as evidenced by his continued full-time employment.