Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's thoracic spondylosis and lumbosacral strain began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected lumbar spondylosis and entitlement to a TDIU due to inaccuracy of the September 2020 VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups, passive and active motions, and weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing positions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which includes lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and arthritis, is rated at 40 percent effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO granted an increased 20 percent rating effective March 13, 2019.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with OCD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's low back disorder needs further examination and a proper nexus opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for painful joints and bilateral eye disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,Specifically, the VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s current joint pain and eye disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further evaluation is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relation to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for left shoulder, right shoulder, and chronic lumbosacral strain disabilities as there is no case or controversy.

The Veteran's initial rating for back disability was denied, but a higher rating of 20 percent is granted effective January 18, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy from the same date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, lumbar spine, s/p laminectomy is being remanded due to the need for updated examination and clarification regarding flareups.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period between August 9, 2008 and December 18, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine; rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy; and entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's lumbosacral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, low back, and lung disorders are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back disability and awarded a 30 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis and intervertebral disc syndrome from March 29, 2018. The decision also denied an increased rating prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.