Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right knee condition are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. For the period prior to June 10, 2019, he received a 20% rating. Beginning on June 10, 2019, he was granted a 40% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, OSA, and seborrheic dermatitis. The Veteran's initial rating of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess his current back disability and headaches, as well as to determine if there are any missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the July and August 2021 addendum opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the patella. The other conditions remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected back and leg conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 22, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cephalgia (headaches), thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral leg disability, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The May 2018 rating decision assigned a 20 percent disability evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and a 10 percent disability evaluation for his spinal scar, both effective September 7, 2012.,The Veteran's appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and TDIU has been remanded due to inadequate VA examination in the previous decision. The Board will obtain additional evidence, schedule a new VA examination, and refer the case for extraschedular consideration of TDIU.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 30 degrees or ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his right foot disability and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, back disability, and hepatitis B have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.