Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of the Veteran's right thumb disability, low back disorder, pes planus, deviated septum with enlarged inferior turbinates, congenital nevus, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to physical limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IVDS, lumbar spondylosis, and herniated nucleus pulposus are granted. The claim for ILD with COPD is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for left and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected major depressive disorder, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, lumbar spine disability, and loss of teeth are being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider additional evidence and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, including a lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, has been rated at 10 percent since June 17, 2013. The Board found that the current rating is appropriate as it does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints (including ankles, knees, and feet), were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headaches disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine strain, claimed as back condition, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The decision also granted a 10% rating for a facial scar.,The Veteran’s claim for an eye disability remains pending as there are missing records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, and there is no evidence to support service connection for his back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding her military status on August 30, 2008. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, sinusitis, headaches, acid reflux, esophagitis, thyroid, and abdominal hernia have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.,Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine DDD, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, left hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches, have led to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered further development of the employment history and requested information from SSA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of her claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, evaluation of low back disability, migraine headaches, and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability can be adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge. The current disability is not related to any in-service injury.