Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disorder are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The appeal for these conditions is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing all relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found that the current low back disability is more likely related to natural aging process rather than service.

The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent rating for DDD of the lumbar spine has been granted, effective from September 29, 2011. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's Raynaud's Syndrome is granted a 10% disability rating, effective February 7, 2020. The Veteran's back disability remains at a 20% disability rating. Effective November 16, 2013, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient post-service medical records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's clinical records from the Allentown VAMC need to be obtained, and a clinician will provide opinions on whether the low back disorder and right shoulder disorder began in service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and saliva gland condition due to lack of compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's exposure to radiation during service is being evaluated for its potential impact on his current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a chronic migraine headache are remanded due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain, PTSD, and a right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic and ocular conditions, as well as COPD or other pulmonary disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease status-post anterior fusion of L2-S1. Specifically, the Board requests clarification on whether the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, and orders a VA examination to assess the severity of his degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU were denied due to failure to appear for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated. The Veteran's service personnel records need to be associated with the claims file, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his low back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back disability and associated bilateral leg radiculopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for a heart disorder. The remand includes requests for updated VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of increased disability rating and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination determining if the Veteran's back disorder is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the failure to report for VA examinations. The issues of service connection for nerve disabilities of the lower extremities are inextricably intertwined with the rating claims.