Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's recurrent low back strain was granted a 40% rating from June 13, 2012 to April 27, 2014. Prior to this period and after it, the condition did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his military service, including a claimed injury during active duty. The evidence does not support an in-service event or nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus secondary to CAD, chronic fatigue and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his back and neck disabilities, as well as his gout. The Veteran is also being asked to provide more information regarding his employment history for the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a chronic disability during or after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and low back disability due to lack of medical evidence on file. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's back disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left shoulder, and right hip conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to in-service noise exposure.,A 10 percent disability rating for thoracolumbar strain prior to February 19, 2018, was granted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for a right knee strain.,Additional development is needed due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to her lower back injury during active service.

A rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 1, 2019 is granted. A rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as of July 18, 2016, and prior to September 22, 2016, is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various wrist, hip, leg, foot, and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims were based on the Veteran's reported injury during boot camp in 1983.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back condition and GERD have been granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids and hypothyroidism are dismissed as they were withdrawn.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, status post bowel resection, left below the knee amputation, and depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his service-connected ankle disabilities and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective range of motion assessments and medical opinions regarding causation.