Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing before the Board.,Service connection is granted for cystic acne, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disability. Service connection is denied for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 21, 2011 is being remanded as the Board cannot award an extraschedular TDIU without first referring it to VA's Director of Compensation Services.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Board has found that the Veteran's knee disabilities and kidney condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 40% disability evaluation for the period from September 18, 2018 to October 3, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a VA examination to address whether obesity caused or substantially contributed to the Veteran's back and left knee disabilities, as well as their service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder, back disorder, right hip disorder, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity as these conditions are not shown to have begun during or be otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of head trauma, including intracranial hemorrhage; lumbar spine disability as secondary to left ankle disability; and headaches as secondary to service-connected status post injury to left orbital region with sensory impairment of left trigeminal nerve.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 31, 2009, for the award of service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for the left lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions are related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's PTSD and back condition have been remanded for further development. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, effective May 26, 2010.

The Veteran's traumatic arthrotomy of the right-hand index finger, right foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur, lumbar spine disabilities, and IBS have been reopened due to new evidence received since their previous denials.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his right shoulder disability due to incomplete military personnel records, inadequate medical opinions, and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to an in-service fall.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and psoriasis. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disturbance is already considered in his service-connected major depressive disorder, and there are no separate sleep disabilities capable of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and left arm disability is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar disc bulging, but the issue of an initial compensable rating for chronic cough remains remanded due to a need for additional VA examination.