Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is related to service and remands for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because they died during the pendency of their case.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40% from September 20, 2017. The Board found that the limitation of motion met the criteria for a 40% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and COPD. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or chronicity within one year of separation from service, and that the claimed disorders were not related to medication received in service for syphilis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a back disability due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions on the Veteran's diagnoses.

The Veteran's lower back disorder was granted a 50 percent rating since December 21, 2020. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including neck condition, back disability, knee and ankle conditions, foot conditions, diabetic retinopathy, diverticulitis/constipation, uterine fibroids, dyschromia, and menopausal syndrome. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as the result of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability prior to June 6, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, atherosclerosis, and anemia. Service connection is granted based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water in Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also remanded for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease and chronic low back pain, is secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding his claimed disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, with the current rating of 40% being upheld.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, with IVDS is rated at 20 percent disabling and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating and TDIU due to inadequate rationale provided in previous VA examinations, specifically regarding the assessment of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder other than scoliosis, scoliosis, and a tailbone disorder. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the lumbar spine disorder and its relationship to service-connected cervical spine posttraumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to new evidence received after the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated treatment records.