Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

A rating of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted from July 26, 2016 to August 25, 2020.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine from August 25, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 21, 2020. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from January 15, 2014 to July 11, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury and that there is continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding treatment records and a need for clarification of certain medical opinions. The Veteran's back disability is still under review.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and remanded the issues of bilateral ankle vein insufficiency disorder, bilateral calf vein insufficiency disorder, and a back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, back disability, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been dismissed as they were resolved by a prior rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension due to herbicide exposure has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2013 VA examination and a need for a new examination that includes review of the January 2021 chiropractor's opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation of why a VA examination was not obtained and because the credibility of the Veteran's lay statements regarding an in-service truck accident needs to be addressed. The Veteran will need to provide any additional evidence, and he will also need to attend a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The appeal for a higher rating for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine status post laminectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus with history of chipped fractured L5 was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease with sacroiliitis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, right leg disabilities and left thumb and index finger numbness. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for shin splints, right ankle, left ankle, right wrist, left wrist, right shoulder, and low back disabilities have been reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, headache disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The remand is due to incomplete evidence from private medical centers and SSA records, as well as an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, hypertension, and asbestosis due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right sciatica, and left sciatica effective February 1, 2015.