Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and traumatic brain injury due to insufficient medical opinions. The dental claim is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable dental disability.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left femur fracture, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right knee strain, and left knee strain with limitation of flexion are granted. The Veteran's left foot injury is granted from September 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. Further examination and review are needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was denied. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including back and right ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a medical opinion regarding the low back disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating from February 27, 2012 to November 13, 2018. The back disability is denied any increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes, lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 50% since July 24, 2018. The effective date for this rating has been set to July 24, 2018. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to August 31, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacies in previous examinations and opinions, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of headaches, back condition, and left shoulder condition due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous examinations. The case is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA medical examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since June 28, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating and grants this claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as well as separate ratings for other radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU application is granted, and the Board has remanded for further examination regarding his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar degenerative disc disease.,The VA examiner is requested to provide clarification on the severity of the muscle group injuries in the Veteran's left shoulder as well as assess the impact of his newly service-connected cervical spine disability on his lumbar spine disability.