Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine strain with sprain and spondylosis, left lower extremity sensory neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, PTSD, hypertension, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hand burn scar. The Board granted TDIU on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions regarding the Veteran's statements about continuous back pain since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any in-service injury. The Board also noted that arthritis of the spine was not 'noted' during service or within one year of separation.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.,Service connection was also remanded for migraine headaches and left hip and knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, migraine headaches, and vertigo due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, back condition, bilateral knee condition, right hip condition, and migraines due to additional development. The claims are being remanded for VA examinations to determine the current disabilities and their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 14, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and chest pain due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including arthritis, was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to any event in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity of care from an in-service injury to the VA examination and that the current back disability is not related to any in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 60 percent effective April 11, 2012. The Veteran’s right and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent effective January 6, 2021. A TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating.,Service connection for hiatal hernia and GERD was established in June 2012 with a noncompensable rating effective January 2, 2012. The Veteran seeks an initial compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion regarding service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's representative withdrew their request for a travel Board hearing, and other issues have been resolved.