Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity numbness are remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between his obesity and his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability had its onset during active duty, if it is related to any in-service disease or injury, and if it is caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding the Veteran's conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is insufficient competent and probative evidence linking the disorder to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for VA examinations.,An effective date earlier than February 28, 2001, for the low back disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, neck disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right elbow disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's lay assertions of chronicity and continuity of symptoms since service are to be considered.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and granted a non-compensable rating for eczema/atopic dermatitis. The Veteran's claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders is remanded.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and her service. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and right foot drop conditions. The clinician is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other factors.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain since April 30, 2018. The Veteran previously had his claim denied for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis in the left hand and degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension as secondary to service-connected tension headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and the medical opinions provided did not support a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral arm neuropathy, and respiratory disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was granted for a scar of the left exterior upper lip.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle strain, lumbar spine strain, and a respiratory condition due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left hip disorder due to a lack of compliance with previous directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic left shoulder and low back pain over the years, as well as his ongoing duties.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for his lower back condition was denied. However, the Board granted a 40% disability rating effective March 28, 2017, based on worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: initial evaluation for a back disability, service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a back disability, service connection for a right knee disability, and service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the lack of adequate medical opinions regarding his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his thoracolumbar-spine disorder, right-lower-extremity radiculopathy, and left-lower-extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran also had a claim for TDIU which was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left foot disorders. The VA is requested to obtain expert opinions on these issues.

Service connection is granted for left calf cramp and pain disability.,Service connection is granted for right calf cramp and pain disability.