Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various rating claims due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabled, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less during flare-ups or repetitive use. The left and right knee disorders are both rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's TBI, CFS, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and neuropathy of the lower extremity have not been service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's back and bilateral hip disabilities are related to service, or secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine condition, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine DDD and lumbar spine DJD and DDD status post L5-S1 fusion due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injuries and symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death. The effective date issue for service connection secondary to total right knee replacement is also dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to service. Service connection was denied for a bilateral leg condition other than lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim for residuals of a tonsillectomy and denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to the surgery. The psychiatric, lumbar spine, and left hip disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin condition, sleep apnea, and joint pain due to incomplete examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's self-reported history.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for the period from March 1, 2014 to February 15, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU for the period from November 15, 2012 to February 15, 2013 is remanded for further review.

The Board has found that additional development is needed before the claims for higher initial ratings for low back strain and residuals of left ankle fracture can be adjudicated on the merits. The issues are being remanded to allow for readjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to missing VA examinations, new evidence received, and issues with the adequacy of previous medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a skin disorder, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU. The back disability remains remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polysubstance abuse, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD, has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as there is no longer a controversy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for new opinions due to inadequate previous examinations. The VA will need to provide a thorough examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the neck and back disabilities, including whether they are related to service or secondary to other conditions.