Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a long history of remands and incomplete records. The issues include ratings for back disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to an in-service injury and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence, requiring further VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, right shoulder arthropathy, and bilateral hip arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected chronic prostatitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, left hip, low back, left leg, and right leg disorders due to deficiencies in the previous examination reports. The VA is required to provide additional examinations as per the June 2021 remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to service-connected PTSD, including as due to obesity. The back disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking the current condition to service or any presumptive period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to March 30, 2021 and denied for a higher rating. From March 30, 2021, the Veteran's disability remains rated at 20 percent and denied for a higher rating. The Board also granted TDIU from March 30, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development related to verification of the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Thailand, and for extraschedular consideration of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain due to an incomplete record from his private doctor, Dr. O.E.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of nexus opinions in VA examinations. The Veteran's representative argued for service connection for a cervical spine disorder but it was not included in the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated information regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The appeals are related to various musculoskeletal conditions, PTSD, and a respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The appeals are now pending further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bladder cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The claims for chronic back disorder, hyperparathyroidism and/or thyroid disorder, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are remanded as the evidence does not establish a direct link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent from January 3, 2017 to the present.,His right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a secondary service connection opinion considering all relevant conditions.