Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's scar, gunshot wound to right hand is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's gunshot wound right hand with painful/limited motion of the thumb is denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service aggravation of preexisting conditions.

The Veteran's back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted service connection. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, including a VA examination that did not address the July 2017 VA examination's findings for arthritis nor the July 2012 MRI results specifically.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a predecisional duty to assist error. A retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess the extent of his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities prior to February 13, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and a failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, spinal disorders, knee and foot disabilities, hepatitis C, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and shoulder and elbow conditions. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Veteran's left ear scar is granted service connection, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not related to military service.,Service connection for a stomach condition is denied. The VA examiner found no chronic stomach disability and opined that any current stomach condition is less likely than not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, pes planus, right wrist disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's pes planus was granted as related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain on an aggravation basis and denied a higher initial disability rating for PTSD with residuals of TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to TDIU, and referred it for extraschedular consideration as to entitlement to TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a bilateral shoulder disability, have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for acromegaly secondary to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing and following substantially gainful employment from August 2, 2018 to October 31, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and lumbosacral spine disability are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they were caused or aggravated by her active service, including periods of annual training in the National Guard. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for major depressive disorder has been granted, effective October 15, 2018. The claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorders have been reopened and remanded. The right knee osteoarthritis claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and cervical spine disability. The decision did not address the issues of service connection based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches as secondary to thoracolumbar spondylosis, and earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.