Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

Service connection is granted for a thoracolumbar spine disorder.,Service connection is also granted for insomnia, which the Veteran contends is secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury, finding that the Veteran's current back disorder is not causally related to his in-service injury and arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left foot disorders, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of lumbar strain prior to January 20, 2017.

The Veteran's healed right wrist fracture is rated at 10 percent, which is the highest rating available under DC 5215.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine was initially granted but not rated higher than 20 percent prior to December 15, 2014. After that date, a 30 percent rating has been assigned.,Beginning December 15, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for his DDD of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously denied, and the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability are remanded.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 31, 2013 and subsequent to this date.

The Board has remanded the cases of a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and TDIU prior to August 3, 2018 due to inadequate examinations and lack of information regarding flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding a back disability, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the spine. An additional medical opinion is required to determine if the Veteran's condition is related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of an upper back disability, including as secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran underwent a VA examination but did not receive a clear opinion on whether his upper back disability is caused or aggravated by any service-connected conditions, particularly his low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to address the severity of her cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, sleep apnea, tinea pedis with mycotic toenails, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. The appeals are also being remanded due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lower back conditions due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, an acquired psychiatric disability, a low back disability, and a right hand disability. The claim to reopen service connection for depression is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his service-connected right femur fracture residuals and right knee disability.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the housebound rate and TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 27, 2017 due to service-connected disabilities including schizoaffective disorder, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, headaches, and essential tremors of both hands. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective from January 23, 2013.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of anxiety disorder and lumbar spine disability as the appellant withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.