Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The right knee condition was rated at 10 percent, the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis claim was not granted due to lack of nexus, and the left sciatic nerve condition claim was also not granted as it is secondary to a non-service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD is rated at 10 percent prior to July 29, 2016 and 20 percent thereafter. The rating for right shoulder strain was denied before July 26, 2016 and granted as of that date with a 30 percent rating. Ratings for left shoulder strain, limitation of flexion in the right knee, and limitation of flexion in the left knee were also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine condition was denied. A separate ratings were granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, with the latter being restored to 20 percent effective December 6, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and low back disabilities. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these disabilities are related to service, considering the Veteran's in-service scooter accident and her MOS.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to incomplete consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and the prior VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Service connection for Sjogren's syndrome with vitreous degeneration and punctate keratitis is remanded due to newly added evidence.

The Veteran's initial and higher evaluations for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder are granted, but the claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) examinations and a need for additional opinions regarding range of motion testing, flare-ups, and functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a left hand disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or a link to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of COPD, lumbosacral strain with DJD, hypertension, and tinea pedis have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or condition related to the disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her chronic low back syndrome was denied, and the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities other than PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted, with an effective date from November 1, 2011 to December 29, 2014. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding her right and left knee conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee conditions are being remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's lower back disorder was rated at 40 percent since August 10, 2020. The rating is denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 4, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective February 21, 2017. The Board also remanded several service connection claims for further review.