Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities. Service connection for low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine was granted with a 20% disability rating effective July 12, 2021. The maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbosacral strain and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the range of motion tests were performed in a weight-bearing position, or if additional examinations are required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, initial rating for service-connected headaches, compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and increased ratings for service-connected chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the entire appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent effective July 24, 2019.

The Veteran's back disability, which includes degenerative disc disease and other spinal conditions, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion being less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine being 120 degrees or less, which are required for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, with a noncompensable rating assigned for ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb sprain.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniation was increased to 40 percent, effective April 28, 2012. The appeal is denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral pes planus, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding records and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and obtaining any outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right foot disabilities and a lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection. Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was insufficient evidence to link his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS, and a temporary total evaluation for hospitalization were denied. The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral foot, low back, and PTSD disabilities.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea must be remanded again for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided were not in compliance with the November 2020 remand directives, thus requiring another remand for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to missing evidence in the Veteran's May 2021 submission.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.