Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar paravertebral myositis was denied, and service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity was dismissed. The Veteran received a 20% rating from May 13, 2003 to February 9, 2007, but his claim for higher ratings beyond this period is not supported by the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for additional treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for release of private treatment records, and VA will obtain these records. Additionally, the Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations for his lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and low back disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective February 25, 2013. A 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of Hepatitis C due to incomplete development, specifically missing VA treatment records from the Bronx VAMC. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional information or evidence that may be relevant.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation. Service connection for a bowel and/or bladder disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate VA opinions and factual inaccuracies in previous decisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no nexus between his current condition and an in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support the Veteran's contention that his back issues are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, sleep apnea, and low back disability. The Veteran's left hip disability and right shoulder disability have been denied.,Service connection is granted for sinusitis as it is presumed to be related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The cases of knee disability, back disability, bilateral hip radiculopathy (claimed), and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder was granted. The claim for service connection for left hip and thigh disorders was denied.,Service connection for a back disorder is granted, but service connection for left hip and thigh disorders is denied.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development, including clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for gout, cervical spine/right arm disability, low back disability, and bilateral pes planus. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim of service connection for a back disability, including incomplete records from periods of Reserve service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's back pain was not related to his in-service injury.,There is no evidence of any relevant condition in the Veteran’s service records or post-service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient medical opinion in the previous decision. The case is now being sent back to the RO for consideration of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to a lack of recent medical evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his depression did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 20, 2020 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,His low back disorder and right shoulder bursitis with partial-thickness rotator cuff tear were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence from Riverside Chiropractic Center and Dr. Roland Amash.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service or any other condition, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to issues with obtaining medical records and concerns about the adequacy of the rating assigned.