Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeals on three issues related to service connection for low back disability, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability. The decision on the back disability is due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or causation in service, and post-service treatment records do not show continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and other disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating or TDIU prior to January 23, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine disability is not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, back, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as secondary to a pre-existing condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment status and income during the relevant periods. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with forms to complete, request financial records, determine if he was above or below the poverty threshold, refer the matter to the appropriate officials for review, and readjudicate the appeal.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine stenosis and spondylolisthesis, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left shoulder DJD and residuals of total arthoplasty.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is believed to have caused or aggravated his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, bathe himself, feed himself without assistance, and requires regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, left wrist condition, right ankle condition and low back condition are being remanded for further development.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and a VA vocational specialist's opinion on the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, knee, ankle, and shin splints disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from June 2020 at John Cochran VAMC in St. Louis, Missouri must be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability claim documentation. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed for its relationship to her military service.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability as it has been granted and rendered moot.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence of a chronic disease within the presumptive period, and the Veteran's statements were not competent to establish a nexus with service.,Service connection for migraines secondary to service-connected hearing loss on a causation basis was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including verification of alleged exposure to herbicides and lead paint during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 9, 2018. From that date, the disability is now rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a respiratory disability have been granted. The claim for residuals of bilateral foot frostbite injuries or cold exposure is still pending.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and mental manifestations of Parkinson's disease is also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.