Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service injuries is considered, but further medical opinions are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee arthritis. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s back condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury and is unrelated to her service-connected bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for Paget’s disease. The decision is pending further development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity sciatica, finding that the evidence did not support direct service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right ear retracted tympanic membrane.,Right knee and low back disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia was denied as it does not qualify as a disability for VA compensation purposes. Other claims are pending, including those for sleep apnea, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, psychiatric disability, and inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for back and neck disabilities remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his shoulder, back, and knee disabilities. The hypertension claim is also remanded with additional instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s persistent depressive disorder is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and service connection for a lumbar disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran's attorney requested additional development related to the competency of VA examiners and the need for new medical opinions on various issues.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with multi-level degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have persisted since then.

The Board has granted service connection for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) of the right hip, left hip, and low back. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with spina bifusa occulta prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory system condition, back condition and bilateral ankle condition have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and examination, particularly regarding the etiology of a low back disability. The Veteran's lay statements about a fall during service are considered in determining whether there is a connection between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee DJD is dismissed as the benefits have already been granted. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DJD is denied, and the TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent since October 14, 2014. The Board has granted a higher rating for this period.