Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, which is presumed to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and noting that arthritis did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The medical opinion found no link between current DJD and DDD and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating prior to April 12, 2017. The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus requires only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is remanded due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his spinal conditions, as well as his claim for TDIU. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to February 5, 2020 and at 40 percent since that date.,Since June 22, 2012, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy associated with his lumbar spine disability are rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of right knee strain, neck disability, left upper extremity disability, and headaches due to conflicting evidence or need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee replacements, right shoulder arthritis, and radiculopathy of all four extremities) contributed to his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, left ankle disorder, neck disorder, right hand disorder, and residuals of tailbone injury due to new and material evidence. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine prior to December 17, 2019 was granted with an initial 20 percent rating. From December 17, 2019, the claim was denied as the disability did not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder strains are currently rated at 20% each.,Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar strain is currently rated at 20% from November 7, 2019 onwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to need for further development, including additional evidence submission and consideration of new medical findings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports of retirement and the need for a new extraschedular opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease is granted because the VA medical examiner found a diagnosis and credible lay reports of symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 20% and the issue of an increased rating remains pending.,Prior to October 2012, her respiratory condition was rated at 30%, but this rating has been increased to 60% from that date. The issue of a higher rating for the respiratory condition after October 2012 is still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The effective date of service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is denied as not secondary to his right knee disability or related to an in-service injury.,For the periods prior to February 23, 2015, from April 1, 2015 to October 5, 2015, and from December 1, 2015 to July 18, 2018, a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability is denied due to painful motion.