Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, low back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disability), and hemorrhoids. The reasons given were that the conditions did not pre-exist service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The private physician's opinion supported this finding, linking the onset of MDD during active duty and attributing its aggravation by his service-connected condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding reopening service connection claims for lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a need for further development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development and clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, including whether they are related to service or preexisting conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, finding that his current condition did not manifest in service or within one year following separation from active duty and was not related to an event or injury in service. The Board also found no evidence of preexisting conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the assigned ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease from May 3, 2013 to October 16, 2020. The Veteran's condition was found not to warrant an increased rating during these periods.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to June 1, 2017. The appeal will be considered in light of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and sciatica of the lower extremities, but denied service connection for his left hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for further action by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition have been granted.,Evidence showed current disabilities in each of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lower back and left leg conditions, which are currently considered service-connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected left hip disability, granting service connection for this secondary condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus, weak bladder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and gynecological problems, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 5, 2002. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic back pain since separation from service and that any current conditions are not related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are all granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board finds that remand is required for a new VA opinion to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbosacral spine arthritis, as there are inadequate opinions in the current record regarding both the preexistence and relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her lumbosacral spine disability have been dismissed as she has withdrawn the claims prior to a decision being made.