Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity since service and that the current disability is not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of TDIU and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical lumbar strain and psychiatric disability (including OCD and GAD) have been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims regarding cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and PTSD due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 13, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or incident causing these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection for nerve disabilities.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine, finding that his disability did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and instability of the left knee disabilities. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups of pain in the Veteran's back and right elbow.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lower back disability has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, and therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with the October 2020 remand.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for chronic low back strain is remanded due to new evidence showing worsening symptoms and the need to reassess his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disability is dismissed. The Board also denied the staged ratings and reduction from 30 to 20 percent for her low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to unclear employment status and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, left middle finger sprain, and low back disability manifested by pain. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of an in-service stressor. The claims for bilateral foot and hand numbness and tingling are being remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a nexus opinion.