Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to insufficient examination reports from prior VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete record development, specifically regarding private medical records from Dr. D. Jones related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The appellant withdrew all his current appeals, including those for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a cervical spine disability, and ratings for low back IVDS with DJD have been remanded due to inadequate development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's facial discoloration due to a burn injury during service is granted as service connection. The lumbar spine, left knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate to support a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lower back condition, left knee condition, and sleep disturbances are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and wrist disabilities due to potential issues with the evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of a separate rating for RLE radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve due to conflicting findings from previous examinations.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is granted. The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and a TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including those for Hepatitis C, PTSD, Right Knee Condition, Tuberculosis, Cervical Spine Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, and Diabetes due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diverticulitis was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The appeals for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating from April 15, 2011 to December 1, 2020.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 20, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a preexisting condition and that any current low back disorder did not start during or immediately after his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve regurgitation and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet and left leg. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service, including environmental or toxic exposure during her Southwest Asia service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The cervical spine disability was granted a 40% rating, but the left and right upper extremity radiculopathy claims remain denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of decision. Separate evaluations for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 10, 2013 are also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The right knee injuries are currently rated separately for arthritis and instability. Both issues require further development to determine appropriate ratings.