Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to ambiguities in the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and any acquired psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma, finding that the evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are linked to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and upper back disabilities due to outstanding medical records not being associated with the claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions listed, as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and eye condition are all being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Board found no link between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20% prior to May 14, 2021 and at 30% from May 14, 2021. The skin disability is rated at 30%. The effective dates for increased ratings are granted.,The claims for an earlier effective date for the increased ratings of RUE and LUE have been granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under current criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine condition, bilateral hip conditions, bilateral knee conditions, and left ankle condition are denied as these disabilities are considered congenital defects that were not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left wrist conditions due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain is remanded. His hypertension claim is also remanded as it may be related to herbicide exposure or diabetes.,The Board has decided that a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain is not warranted at any point during the appeal period, and the matter of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain is remanded. The hypertension claim is also remanded as it may be related to herbicide exposure or diabetes.,The Veteran's hypertension has not been assigned a rating and no effective date has been established.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and headaches, as they are unclear whether the conditions were incurred in or due to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added to the record, and an additional examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's spine disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional reaction (claimed as depression), are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine disability, depressive disorder, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is also being remanded to consider an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and bilateral heel spurs are denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's heel spurs are found not connected to any period of service.,GERD is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service.,Right wrist condition is remanded as the VA records do not support a connection to service, despite the Veteran's testimony and history.,Lumbar spine condition is remanded due to lack of sufficient medical evidence connecting it to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, other than MDD/unspecified depressive disorder. The appeals for higher ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity, and bronchitis and sleep apnea have also been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's chronic mechanical lumbar spine syndrome with left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.