Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees, as well as TDIU prior to January 29, 2015.,The case is being remanded due to additional evidence received without a waiver and because of an October 2020 Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR) regarding meniscus pathology in the knees.

The Board dismissed all withdrawn issues related to PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, pinguecula, and other conditions. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70% for the period prior to May 6, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, nor is his lumbar spine disability related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and records, requiring further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability due to insufficient information in the record. The Veteran must provide his military personnel records, VA treatment records from January 2021 to present, and any outstanding private treatment records. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was involved in a motor vehicle accident in service and/or has the requisite service at Camp Lejeune. If so, an examiner will need to provide opinions on whether his right shoulder and back disabilities are related to active service, including due to the motor vehicle accident and contaminated water exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's duty status and travel during a motor vehicle accident in April 1967.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the current limitation of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar DJD was denied. The issue of service connection for a skin disorder other than jungle rot is being remanded.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the skin disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back pain, PTSD, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, dermatitis, gall bladder removal, and GERD. The appeals are currently pending.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30% and denied an increased rating.,Prior to October 7, 2019, the Veteran was not found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's dorso lumbar spine disability was denied increased ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to March 5, 2012 and from March 5, 2012 onwards.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied increased ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to January 23, 2020 and from January 23, 2020 onwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity neurological impairment due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The cases are now pending further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability due to a lack of adequate examination and reasoning regarding retrospective analysis of conflicting medical evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to January 29, 2010 and from January 29, 2010 to February 28, 2014. The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy was also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent. A TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 7, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew all remaining issues before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic back condition during or after service. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was also denied due to the absence of regular aid and assistance needs.