Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder disorder and an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease and spondylosis were denied as the evidence did not support these claims. The Board found that there was no medical opinion linking the Veteran's current bladder disorder to his service or any service-connected disability, and that he failed to attend necessary VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 10, 2012 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence meeting the schedular requirements. The Board finds there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and eye disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable at any point during the appellate period, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis was denied prior to March 10, 2017.,A subsequent increase in disability rating to 20 percent from March 10, 2017 to May 10, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral lattice degeneration and bilateral atrophic breaks are related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The case will also be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, and tinnitus due to new evidence showing an in-service injury. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right ankle injury, right heel, and tendonitis was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for multi-level L4-S1 spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to November 13, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptomatology. His right ear hearing loss and right knee disability remain under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a lack of records from 1980 to 1998, and requests that all recent VA treatment records be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability and remanded the issue of service connection for his back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the March 2020 VA examination, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The claims for service connection for right hand injury/pain, left hand injury, headaches, and psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 17, 2016.