Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 27, 2012. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined disability rating did not meet the schedular requirements and that an extraschedular rating was not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, as well as to schedule VA examinations. The effective date of the award of service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service or secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The VA examiner needs to provide additional opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar disc herniation, lumbar disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's left elbow status post fracture with limitation of flexion has been rated at the maximum schedular rating (20%) based on symptoms equivalent to limited flexion to 80 degrees.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back condition and his service. The examiner is asked to provide a response based on the provided information.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to an in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,Service connection for the low back disability and right knee condition are denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied a higher disability evaluation for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence does not show limitation of forward flexion to less than 30 degrees or ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating adequately compensates for any functional loss due to pain and weakness.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine spondylosis and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been remanded by the Board.,No effective date has been provided as the issues are still under review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, back, and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions and outstanding National Guard records.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeals.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lower back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and GERD. The remand requires additional development to address inconsistencies in diagnoses, assess functional loss due to flare-ups, and determine whether the Veteran’s symptoms are attributable to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for disabilities of the left index finger, right index finger, left middle finger, right middle finger, left ring finger, right ring finger, left little finger, right little finger, low back disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for the thoracolumbar spine from February 4, 2004 to October 29, 2004, and at 40 percent for the cervical spine beginning August 9, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further verification of service periods and treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on his range of motion and functional limitations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.