Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury or illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability for purposes of accrued benefits, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current back condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's lay statements of continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.,The Board also denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, concluding that the condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is granted. The claim for increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, rated 10 percent prior to January 17, 2017 and 40 percent since then, is denied. The claims for higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee limitation of flexion are also denied. A rating of 10 percent for right knee lateral meniscus tear is granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 26, 2018 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left, right knee disabilities and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence of their onset or relationship to service. The Veteran is also granted to reopen his claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete examination reports and failure to account for flare-ups in his back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum VA opinion regarding service connection and aggravation of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for uterine fibroids, fibromyalgia, bilateral hip disability, bilateral hand and foot disabilities (frostbite), low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and headache disability have all been denied.,There is no current evidence of these conditions in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and dismissed the claim of low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential aggravation of his conditions by his service-connected disabilities and exposure at Camp Lejeune.

A 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted, and service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. The issues regarding right foot disability other than pes planus and left foot disability other than pes planus are remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a rating of 40% from August 1, 2012 to August 3, 2019. Since then, the claim for a higher rating has been denied. The right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities have also had their ratings denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his DDD of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and for a higher rating for TBI from August 10, 2012 to January 2, 2018 are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for additional medical opinions regarding his low back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, chronic cough, and heart disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding urinary incontinence and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with IVDS and laminectomy. The Veteran underwent a VA examination, but further clarification is needed from an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a hiatal hernia. The claims for right shoulder, lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative changes, and atypical chest pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of probative evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.