Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, right arm, left arm, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating prior to November 30, 2012. A higher rating is denied for the period after that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for cervical spine disability, and service connection for back disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The low back disability claim is remanded due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes and remands both issues for further development.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the June 2021 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered a remand for addendum VA opinions on causation and aggravation of the Veteran's prostate disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip arthroplasty, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees due to inadequate previous VA examination findings. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for various conditions, including PTSD, cervical spine strain, hemorrhoids, and seasonal allergic reaction.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's PTSD and thoracolumbar spine disability are currently rated at 30% and no rating, respectively. The Board has remanded the issue of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, nerve disability, and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The AOJ must review all new evidence added to the file since the January 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, particularly as a pilot.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's right hip, right ankle, and low back disabilities are granted service connection.,Prior to February 7, 2021, the Veteran was awarded a compensable rating for left shin splints.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records, including those from private treatment providers.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran needs to provide information about any outstanding medical records and a VA examination is needed.