Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of lumbosacral strain, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's left hand condition, manifested by neurological symptoms, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back pain is granted service connection.,The Veteran's left knee strain is denied service connection.,The Veteran's left ankle condition and right ankle condition are both denied service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and right foot injury, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to April 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, right-hand disorder, and anemia due to incomplete records search under the Veteran's former name. A new VA medical opinion is needed on each issue.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain was denied. Prior to March 16, 2016, the Veteran received a 20% disability rating. From March 16, 2016, he received a 40% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a low back disability, finding no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not make him permanently bedridden, substantially confined to the home or premises, or unable to care for daily needs without requiring regular aid and assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that her current back disability is not related to her service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU, but remanded the claim of diverticulitis.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as it did not occur during qualifying active military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for her back disorder prior to November 1, 2016 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. After November 1, 2016, she received a 20% rating based on her symptoms and limitations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and GERD due to inadequate medical opinions regarding aggravation. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral hand disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability prior to June 14, 2011 and from June 14, 2011 to April 15, 2018. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability beginning April 15, 2018 is also remanded. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, headaches, ankle and leg disabilities, knee disability, and shoulder arthritis, were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinnitus, both of which are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to loud noise during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and missing National Guard service records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for a new medical opinion.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left hip, right hip, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.