Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, bilateral shoulder strain, and left hand disability manifested by pain. The Veteran's continuous back, bilateral shoulder, and left hand pain symptoms since separation from service are considered.,Service connection is also granted for the aggravation of a pre-existing bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and total disability based on individual unemployability due to an inadequate medical opinion in the original decision. A new examination by a specialist is required.

The Veteran's rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was increased to 20 percent from December 17, 2019 to October 27, 2020. The appeal is denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Board denied dependency and indemnity compensation based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected disabilities (back, lower extremity radiculopathy, hearing loss, tinnitus) and his death from myocardial infarction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence added to his file after a July 2020 SSOC. The RO must consider this additional evidence in its initial review.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's symptoms of these conditions were present in service and have continued since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and testimony presented during her hearing. The issues of left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome (bilateral upper extremities) are being addressed on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability manifested by pain, right knee strain, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and sleep disturbance. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service experiences and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine fusion is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5241. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records from Kincheloe Air Force Base.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including headaches, knee conditions, and back issues. The Board has ordered new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions due to a possible material change in the Veteran’s disability.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection due to lack of factual support within one year prior to his January 2016 intent to file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran reported continuous symptoms since service, but the VA examiners did not adequately address these complaints.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and gastrointestinal disorders due to inadequate examination reports that did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service falls.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left arm disorder, PTSD, and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected. The Board also found that her right knee and foot conditions have not been evaluated since September 2014 and ordered additional examinations to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are found to be related to service, specifically the helicopter crash in February 1967. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (numbness in hands and arms) and right lower extremity radiculopathy (numbness in the right leg), both found to be secondary to service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a new examination to assess his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and their impact on employment.