Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a back disability due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of acquired psychiatric disability, low back disability, bilateral foot disability, and fibromyalgia has been remanded due to need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective November 25, 2016. The rating for the period prior to this date remains denied.,Both lower extremity polyneuropathy conditions are rated at 40 percent effective November 25, 2016. The ratings for these conditions before this date remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain all necessary records, including those from a private chiropractor. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to April 17, 2015. The TDIU issue is not currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for angina is granted. The claim for service connection for a disability manifested by vision loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression), and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded. Service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbar stenosis with disc herniation and degenerative changes due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset of the disability during service or its relationship to service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and has therefore remanded both issues for further development, including requesting additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has also remanded the issues of respiratory disability and back disability for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and lumbar strain due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The issues are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension due to service connection issues. The earlier effective date claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's spouse, M.H., is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her multiple disabilities including psychiatric issues, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other impairments. The Board has determined that she requires the help of another person for daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain and left knee strain, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The claim for a low back condition is remanded because there was no VA examination conducted, and the issue of right carpal tunnel syndrome requires further review as well.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain prior to April 25, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded due to the need for additional examination regarding functional impairment due to flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current left lower extremity condition is related to service, and whether any arthritis is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for the Veteran's back disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as the TDIU claim prior to February 6, 2018. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the back claim.