Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.,The Board also denied secondary service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy because it is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability. The cases of lumbar spine and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to procedural errors.

Service connection for a low back disorder is granted, and an increased rating of 70% for PTSD from December 17, 2013 to April 18, 2018 is also granted.,The Veteran's low back disorder is presumed service-connected due to symptoms being continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion sufficient for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence supporting a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and other procedural issues. The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with spondylosis, as well as his radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, need further evaluation.

The Veteran's skin cancer and low back disability were not found to be service-connected. The Board determined that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his active service, or any incident therein.

The Board has granted service connection for a hand rash and an upper back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's right hand/wrist condition, left ankle condition, and low back condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology during service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee strain, back disability, right and left ankle strains/sprains, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, MDD, anxiety) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, ankle, and back disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand orders. The case must be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis resulted in pain on manipulation and use of the feet from January 28, 2011 to June 23, 2018. The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy, left hip and knee disabilities, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and prostate hypertrophy due to additional development being necessary. Specifically, the AOJ must obtain all outstanding medical records from University Medical Associates.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected internal derangement of the right and left knees, as well as lumbar spine strain, have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, pseudofolliculitis barbae, radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, right elbow fracture postoperative, and tinnitus, have resulted in the Veteran being unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 25, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder but denied her claims for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied, as his disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 2021. The claim for SMC based on housebound status remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's contentions and prior statements in the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a back condition and cervical spine condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding direct service connection. The Veteran's reported onset dates are considered, but no examiner provided an opinion considering these dates.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with radiculopathy and remanded the issue of service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.