Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential issues with obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's back condition may be related to his in-service activities, but further evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The Veteran's service records need to be obtained and added to the claims file.

The Board is unable to make an informed decision on the issue of service connection for a right hip disability due to inadequate prior VA examination. The examination did not address whether the Veteran's right hip disability was aggravated by his service-connected back disability, nor did it consider records documenting possible injury during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, swollen right leg, and swollen left leg have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports the grant of service connection for his back disability and also addressed whether his current swollen legs are related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PVD and PAD, contributed to his death from ischemic cardiomyopathy. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting low back condition was aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, right hip condition, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's deviated septum is not rated compensably due to lack of obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with bilateral upper extremity neuropathy or any other condition related to his service. His claims for hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, TBI, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity conditions, and knee disorders are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's skin cancer and back disability are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The lung disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient range of motion findings in the August 2020 VA examination and the need for additional VA treatment records from January 2021 to the present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and failure to address specific evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability, associated radiculopathy, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lower back disorder, and bilateral shin splints due to evidence of current disorders during the period on appeal and potential service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his left foot and ankle condition, folliculitis of the face, and scarring of the scalp. The low back disability claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new VA examination evidence and because a TDIU claim has not been raised. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability is being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis was granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective December 24, 2019. A higher rating is denied since that date.