Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tears and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to July 21, 2016. The VA examiner is requested to provide an updated opinion on the severity of these conditions and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's functional impairment due to service-connected disabilities prior to and around February 2012, and for referral of his request for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain VA treatment records from Marion VAMC dated between 1997 and 1999. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, GERD, and DJD of the lumbar and thoracic spine were denied. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. A TDIU from September 3, 2013 to November 13, 2019 was granted, but the claim is moot after that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his representation through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lower back and right hip disabilities. The VA examiners were required to offer opinions on whether the Veteran’s back and hip conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for left knee instability/subluxation, lumbar spine arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome prior to March 15, 2017, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from April 4, 2015 to March 13, 2017 were denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy since March 14, 2017 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and migraine headaches due to inadequate examination reports and lack of proper development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and sciatic nerve disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for polyneuropathy of the extremities, and service connection for hypertension have been dismissed. The Veteran is granted an initial 30 percent rating for IBS-C over the entire appeal period.

The Board has decided one issue on appeal and remanded the remaining issues for further development. Additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of COPD, a back disability, and PTSD. The right toe disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during or is otherwise related to active service. The Veteran's lay statements concerning the onset and continuity of his low back pain are considered credible.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a sinus condition. The reasons include insufficient rationale in the previous opinions and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence showing a diagnosis of lumbar spondylosis, which was not present at service entry. The examiner is asked to determine if this condition is related to service, including in-service lifting injuries and flareups.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma is related to his military service. The back disability claim was not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent and is not entitled to an increased rating.