Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied an increased rating for the low back disability prior to July 20, 2017 and remanded the TDIU claim. The Veteran failed to report for a VA examination that was necessary to decide his claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at a 40 percent rating from February 28, 2008 to July 1, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, and hypertension. Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.,Diabetes, low back disorder, and hypertension were not shown during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.P. and Paradigm Orthopedics.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not require regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected conditions, as he retained the ability to perform most daily activities with assistance from others.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease and no continuous symptoms since service. The current back disability is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and need for additional development regarding service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's post-procedure incisional pain and TTP of the paraspinal muscles at the lower third of the incision site.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent, and his right leg shin splint is also rated at 10 percent. The decision grants the requested rating for right leg shin splint but denies a higher rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective November 28, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable beginning February 8, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability and acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to a non-service-connected back disability. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board has remanded the claims for a separate rating for urinary incontinence and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether urinary incontinence is a neurological manifestation of the service-connected low back disability. The Veteran will need to be scheduled for another VA examination with a urologist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle fracture and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis due to inadequate VA examination reports. Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right leg disabilities are granted at 20 percent. A 40 percent rating is granted for the back disability from July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's frontal lobe tumor and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,An increased rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity disabilities have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left ankle disability has also been denied.