Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity pain and numbness, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The Board also found that the Veteran did not report any back injuries during his military service, despite having multiple surgeries on his back after discharge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, right upper extremity disability, left upper extremity disability, right lower extremity disability, and left lower extremity disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder due to insufficient reasoning in the August 2021 VA opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The Board also denied the claim for TDIU prior to January 24, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, rhabdomyolysis (left lower extremity), rhabdomyolysis (right lower extremity), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), may qualify him for a TDIU. However, additional information is needed to determine his employment status during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lower back, right lateral leg, and right knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected epididymitis due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and active service or service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and lower back disorder.,There is no evidence of any in-service onset or diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that October 7, 2016 is the earliest allowable effective date based on the facts found.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and related conditions is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection, TDIU, and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain missing service treatment and personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant is granted due to his permanent and total disability rating from Parkinson's disease. The claim for automobile or other conveyance benefits is also granted as the service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was aggravated by a service-connected lumbosacral myofascial strain.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Board finds that the evidence presented since the May 2015 rating decision is new and relevant, thus reopening the claim. However, the issue of secondary service connection remains remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to pre-existing scoliosis and in-service lumbar strain, requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to procedural errors in obtaining an examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee condition, back condition, and bilateral lower extremities sciatica as there is no evidence of current disabilities or impairment related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine strain, and cervical spine strain. The most probative medical evidence did not link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating for the right knee instability remains remanded, as does the ratings for left knee strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's electric wheelchair, prescribed for his service-connected spinal condition, is found to cause wear and tear on his clothing. The Board grants an annual clothing allowance for the year 2021.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.