Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with the exception of his right knee and back issues which are remanded. The Veteran also has higher ratings for his mechanical low back syndrome and limitation of flexion of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is required, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for GERD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, nerve condition of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral knee disability, gouty arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM). The only issue not related to service connection was sickle cell trait.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The TDIU was granted since December 7, 2011.,A separate rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to August 31, 2016, has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine arthritis and lumbar spine strain with disc bulge are granted. The Veteran also received a 10 percent rating for his bilateral hand eczema, but the initial ratings for right and left foot bunionectomies remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Chiari I malformation with cervical syrinx, cervical DDD, bilateral knee disabilities, right elbow disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision found that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not incurred in service or related to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and an effective date prior to January 13, 2017, for a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar muscle spasm claimed as back injury (back condition) is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide your claims now.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and a non-compensable rating for sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DDD, as well as the inextricably intertwined claim for a separate rating for painful bowel function related to his low back condition, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as the need to address potential secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure and other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding his alleged in-service exposure to radiation. The claims will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left shoulder disability have been reopened, but the Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, neck condition, and cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year following discharge.,There is no indication that the Veteran's current spine and radicular disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for service-connected thoracolumbar spine, degenerative joint disease was partially granted in May 2018. The Court vacated the decision and remanded it due to an inadequate examination. This case is being remanded again to obtain proper testing of pain on non-weight bearing.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the current condition is less likely than not caused by or related to active military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral strain with mild DDD have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active duty service and if it is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of urethritis. The matter will be readjudicated after obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hip and back disorders are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service, including as a result of in-service lifting and treatment for back strain. The case will also be reviewed to determine if arthritis manifested within one year of separation from service.