Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right inguinal hernia and scar associated with hernia repair are remanded due to the possibility of increased severity.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach ulcers is remanded as there has not been an opinion regarding any relation to medication taken for his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion on secondary etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a condition of the hips (claimed as bone deterioration) is remanded due to potential relation to radiation exposure during service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right inguinal hernia, stomach ulcers, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knees are remanded due to need for additional examination on secondary etiology.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability is remanded as there is need for assessment of current functional impairment caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, neurological disabilities, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, concluding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondyloarthropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of additional limitation in motion.,The Veteran's cervical spine spondyloarthropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of additional limitation in motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to lack of substantial compliance with its November 2018 remand directives and because there is a need for updated treatment records, as well as VA examinations to assess the current state of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.,Service connection for weight gain is denied as obesity does not qualify as a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's back disability remains on remand, with the need for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.,Right lower extremity varicose veins and left lower extremity varicose veins remain on remand, requiring an addendum opinion to determine their etiology and whether they are secondary to service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.,Erectile dysfunction remains on remand, requiring an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is secondary to medications for service-connected disabilities or hypertension.,Hypertension remains on remand, requiring an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is directly related to service or secondary to service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculitis, left lower extremity radiculitis, and a right elbow condition were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted with an effective date of November 1, 2009. Service connection for colitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending before the Board. The VA will provide further examinations to determine if he has current diagnoses of these conditions, which may be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and left ankle impairment, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition. The remand is due to inadequate medical opinions and missing medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability as the Veteran did not have evidence of an in-service injury or incident that could be linked to these conditions.,The Board also denied service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for low back strain, left hand strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, neck strain, and left ankle strain due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient opinions regarding his sleep apnea, back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and respiratory condition. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to September 28, 2013, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence reasonably shows these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion and outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again for a proper determination of its nature, etiology, and service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to conflicting opinions and lack of clear conclusions in the VA examination report. The case is returned for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, and low back disorders. The positive opinions from a private orthopedic surgeon found these conditions were caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with IVDS and associated radiculopathies have been granted initial disability ratings from October 15, 2008 to September 23, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, left elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, the right elbow disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.