Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine with degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection need further evaluation, as well as a determination on whether his sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU, finding insufficient evidence to determine if he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 16, 2013. From that date until March 22, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his kyphosis with lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present during or within one year after active duty, and that current DJD is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a low back disability and a right knee disability, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded again due to inadequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has dismissed the claims for diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 30 percent for left eye condition, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder condition. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, PTSD, OSA, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. Service connection is established for PTSD based on in-service racial trauma and tension at Loring Air Force Base (AFB).

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a 40% rating from February 25, 2009 to April 10, 2017. After that date, his disability remains at 40%. The claim for an increased rating beyond this period was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, and right lower extremity sensory impairment render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development. The Veteran's low back disability may be related to his military service, but further examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to MST and has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, glaucoma, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking his current conditions to active service.

The Veteran's increased rating for migraine headaches is granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for right weak foot and left weak foot are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand order. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back disability is being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU rating, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spondylosis and plantar fascitis due to a lack of STRs and need for clarification regarding in-service injuries.