Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated disc and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve are denied.,There is no indication that the Veteran has moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lower back disability prior to October 23, 2017 and from October 23, 2017 due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coronary atherosclerosis, and unspecified arthritis of the body due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since April 25, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a back disability has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral shoulder condition due to incomplete records, including military personnel records and treatment records.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability the Veteran currently has, as well as whether it is related to his service. The decision is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. The claim is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, including consideration of service-connected disabilities as well as a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board denied increased ratings for all three conditions as the evidence did not support a finding of marked limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2014 through March 14, 2020. Effective January 6, 2014, the Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disability has been dismissed because he opted into the AMA from his May 2019 SSOC, which withdraws his appeal from the legacy appeals process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed her entrance to active duty and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right knee strain with tendonitis, left knee instability, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and TDIU prior to July 28, 2010. The VA examinations were inadequate due to reliance on inaccurate factual premises.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and associated neurological disabilities have rendered him physically incapable of meeting the demands of full-time employment, allowing for a TDIU effective prior to August 8, 2019.