Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include visual disorder, heart disorder, throat disorder (including as a result of an undiagnosed illness), COPD, low back disability, and bilateral leg condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted a 20 percent rating prior to September 18, 2020 and denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for low back disability due to incomplete facts in previous opinions and inadequate VA examination. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back injury was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection for right shoulder strain, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral shin splints. The appeal is REMANDED for additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's impairment of sphincter control associated with hemorrhoidectomy is granted a 60 percent evaluation prior to March 12, 2018.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to January 20, 2021 and 10 percent beginning May 1, 2021. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with sciatica is currently rated at 10 percent while her left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's mid-back disability previously claimed as left shoulder pain did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to left shoulder, back, hearing loss, tinnitus, right-hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD and depression) are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to provide a medical examination or obtain an opinion if it is necessary to make a decision on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, sinusitis, and asthma due to service connection issues. Additional medical records are needed from specific providers, and further opinions are required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, hypertension, lumbosacral spine disability, and OSA is granted with an effective date of May 19, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use of the back, as well as the adequacy of previous VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to errors in the decision-making process, including a failure to consider all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders and an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service or secondary to a service-connected bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is denied. The earlier effective date prior to May 30, 2013, for the initial grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted and rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for right ankle disorder in April 2020. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for CTS of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's pes planus was granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unresolved medical questions regarding the Veteran's low back disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.