Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, but only on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and related radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are directly related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives regarding his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities. The VA needs to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disability due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the specified periods.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disorders, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has denied compensation for right trochanter fracture, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were caused by VA care.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, ringworm on the right foot, and migraines has been granted. The claims for rashes are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, and now requests additional private medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding whether his current cervical spine disability and lumbar radiculopathy are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability and has granted ratings for the low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The rating for the low back disability is being remanded to determine if a higher rating should be assigned prior to April 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 9, 2017 is denied as he was employed full-time as a corrections officer at that time. The Board finds the VA examinations conducted in August and March 2015 inadequate due to lack of consideration of all procurable data and potential functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar radiculopathy and herniated discs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed as the Veteran died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has determined that more development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as his service connection claims for lower extremity disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service physical duties and sporting activities, granting service connection for this condition.