Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting additional medical examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a VA examiner is to provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including whether there were any incapacitating episodes from October 2009 to October 2010, and whether he had a diagnosis of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The cases are also referred to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) was granted service connection as it manifested to a compensable degree within a year of her separation from active service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding low back disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbosacral spine has been granted. For the initial rating period, a 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a nose and sinus injury (left nasal passage obstruction) is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left knee DJD are denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to September 11, 2013, or in excess of 10 percent from that date through August 10, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is granted as service connected. The lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD based on MST) are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar discogenic disease.,Service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left hip disabilities. The reasons are that additional development is needed to address the current severity of these conditions due to gaps in medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disorder, including knee and calf pain, but denied service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's low back strain is characterized by flare-ups resulting in pain, stiffness, and further functional loss throughout the entire period remaining on appeal. The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain since May 30, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous pain since service. The cases are being sent back for new VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of October 17, 2003. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability prior to March 16, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate completion of prior remand instructions regarding service connection for a back disability (claimed as back pain). The Veteran's assertions and a private opinion need to be considered in determining whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that his conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include sacroiliac strain, spondylolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebra, osteoarthritis, and degenerative changes with radiculopathy. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep disorders other than obstructive sleep apnea and back conditions, but has remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports, need for additional evidence, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA examiner must consider the lay evidence of in-service injuries and continuous pain since service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection.,The initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is denied.