Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to lack of timely notice of disagreement.

The claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and back disorders are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to address his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right index finger disability, residuals of a head injury, and vision disabilities. The issues on appeal include ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify herbicide agent exposure and to obtain a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, to determine if there is any additional functional impairment of the Veteran's low back disability on repeated use or during flare-ups. The matter will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has found that the reduction in disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from April 19, 2016, to July 22, 2021, was improper due to lack of proper notice. The Board has also found that a 20 percent disability rating is warranted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as of January 24, 2018.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with traumatic DJD, finding that the evidence did not support ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board's decision partially vacated the February 9, 2021 decision to deny service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (previously claimed as a back disability). The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis with lumbar strain. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected lumbosacral strain. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder. The appellant withdrew her claims prior to promulgation of a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination in assessing his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, headache disorder (migraine), and lumbar spine disorder are related to service. However, additional evidence is needed for these claims as well as clarification on whether his TBI is secondary to sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The right shoulder trauma claim is granted, while other psychiatric, back, knee, and neck disorders remain pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain with trace retrolisthesis at L3, L4, and L4-5 and segmental instability (low back disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, vision loss, sore throat, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence supporting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, and TBI, as well as his claim for service connection for a back condition due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's conditions, including degenerative spinal disease and degenerative disc disease, right eye glaucoma with traumatic cataract, and right thumb fracture with degenerative changes, have worsened since his last VA examinations. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated treatment records and conduct new VA examinations.

The Veteran's left little finger disability is rated at 0 percent, as there are no limitations of motion or other functional impairments that warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder DJD is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been denied.,Prior to December 2, 2019, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent and from December 2, 2019, it was rated at 20 percent. Both ratings have been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent each, throughout the appeal period.