Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of a physician examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include right knee, left ankle, right ankle, acid reflux (ulcer), and low back disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral elbow condition, lumbar strain, and bilateral hip condition due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's reports of in-service pain.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, arthritis, gastrointestinal disability, and brain atrophy (as a residual of TBI) is denied.,The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. Additional medical comment is needed concerning whether some medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities aggravate his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a compensable rating for his left leg burn scar.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current back disorder or any link to military service. The Veteran’s back disorder is considered to be related to post-service work activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent and there is no indication that it warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain, kyphoscoliosis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent since March 23, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating prior to November 1, 2019 and denied for any higher rating. A separate 30 percent rating is granted for bladder impairment associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability (to include as secondary to a knee disability), and sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from November 22, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire rating period prior to November 3, 2020. Effective November 3, 2020, a higher rating of over 40 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral hip strains and lumbar spine strain due to lack of VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the rating claims.

The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the LEFT and RIGHT lower extremities, as well as his IVDS of the lumbar spine, have been granted increased ratings. The highest possible rating for IVDS based on incapacitating episodes is now in effect.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the back disability is rated at 40 percent as of November 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no earlier effective date found, and his lumbar spine disability and residuals of an ethmoid fracture need additional evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.