Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extended temporary total ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or extension of the current ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea, low back condition, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis status post total knee replacement, and bilateral hearing loss. The VA needs to obtain additional examinations and provide adequate rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability and hyperreflexia. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to service, including any in-service injury with lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient information regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee brace and TENS unit, used for his service-connected disabilities, caused wear and tear to his clothing. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for the year 2017 based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent prior to September 13, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for service-connected lumbar spine disability. The appellant's condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on Diagnostic Code 5243 (IVDS) or other relevant rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to July 29, 2015, finding that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain with thoracic osteophytes, left knee condition, and right knee condition secondary to a left knee condition due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and psychiatric disability have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn these appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition and bilateral knee conditions, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were previously remanded to obtain treatment records and provide an examination.,Service connection was not granted for OSA as it is secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar arthritis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and updating his employment information.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease, C5-C6 (neck disorder) and residuals of traumatic brain injury due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active duty training or service.,The Board also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance and/or due to housebound status as the appellant does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, Hepatitis C, a back disability, and a headache disability due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the Veteran to return a VA Form 21-8940, which is necessary for the adjudication of the TDIU claim. The matter will be reconsidered after receipt of this form.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and a left shoulder disability, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected knee or major depressive disorder.