Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and COPD were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 30, 2015 for the grant of service connection for spondylosis was denied. The claim for a higher initial rating for spondylosis (lumbar spondylolysis) was also denied.

The Veteran is granted a 40% evaluation for his service-connected low back pain with degenerative disc disease prior to November 14, 2007. He also receives TDIU benefits from July 23, 2003 to November 14, 2007 due to the severity of his disability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, headaches, blurry vision, tinnitus, and low back disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence or medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted as the evidence shows that his current condition began during his military service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The low back and bilateral knee disorders are denied as not incurred or caused by service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral foot pain, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded due to potential changes in the Veteran's condition since his last examination.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as right and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current back disability is not considered to have had its onset in service or be otherwise causally related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with sacroiliac injury, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, back disability, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active military service.,Service connection is established for all four issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left knee and low back conditions due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the October 2020 VA DBQs.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new rating decision for hiatal hernia with GERD and service connection for lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, but not higher. The right hip disability is rated at 70 percent, but not higher exclusive of any period of a temporary 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, lumbar spine, and right hip disorders due to insufficient medical opinions provided in a previous remand.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury sustained while playing football.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of any service connection claims or TDIU claim as they are no longer valid with the Veteran's passing.

The Veteran's back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion as the current medical opinions are inadequate.