Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, lower back condition, left-hand condition, right-hand condition, right knee condition, left-knee condition, right ankle condition, and left-ankle condition.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the claims for neck and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, left and right radiculopathy, dorsal spine compression fraction, right shoulder tendonitis with impingement and osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome was withdrawn. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically regarding the relationship between his current condition and his documented in-service injuries.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an increased rating for a right knee disorder and has granted service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the service-connected right knee disorder. The claims for gynecological disorders and psychiatric disorders are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and low back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The Veteran's service records need to be obtained and added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding whether the Veteran currently has a lumbar spine disability and if he had such a disability at any point since August 2011. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum clarifying these points.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Veteran received a 40 percent rating from November 27, 2013 to January 13, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete information. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee scar is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for neck/cervical spine disability, left knee disability (including as secondary to service-connected ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella), lumbar strain, ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella, and lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with anterolisthesis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His right ankle disability received an initial 20% rating, but this was remanded due to further development being needed.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for lumbar sacroiliitis and degenerative arthritis was granted, but a separate 10 percent disability rating is granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from October 9, 2013. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Issues related to increased ratings for PTSD, Lisfranc fracture of the right foot, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The claims are now pending and need further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his spine and nerve radiculopathy conditions have been denied. The highest rating of 40 percent has been granted for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from April 29, 2019 onwards.

The Board has dismissed the claim for TDIU and has remanded the increased rating claims for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee conditions, bilateral pes planus, hypertension with chest pain, low back condition, tinnitus, radiculopathy, patellar subluxation, painful motion in knees and feet, and hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment beginning July 1, 2014.

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