Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and service connection for a right shoulder disability, joint pain, and neck disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are consistent with his military activities and injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating of left knee DJD and back disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating for his left knee DJD, but granted separate ratings for limitation of extension and instability. Service connection for his back disability was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip, left hip, right foot, and left foot disabilities secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the neck and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The VA is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, temporary total rating, and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased initial rating of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip strain and service connection for a lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish a current disability or an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's reported symptoms and those reflected in his treatment records and VA examination reports. The claims for higher initial disability ratings for right foot hallux valgus with arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, leading to a denial of higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that there is a nexus between the two conditions.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted service connection as they are presumed to have started during active service.,Service connection for the back disability has not been established, with the Board finding that it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the propriety of severance of service connection for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the interrelated nature of the disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is due to an in-service motor vehicle accident and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected.,The claim for service connection of actinic keratosis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam was remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition was denied as there is no new and material evidence presented.,His Huntington’s disease claim was also denied, with the Board finding that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a relationship between this condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and femoral radiculopathy due to incomplete or non-compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a neck disability, spinal fusion (claimed as low back disorder), and headaches due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay contentions regarding in-service injuries.