Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to inadequate prior examinations. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, which was previously denied in January 2021. He also seeks service connection for left hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric bursitis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected. The claims for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to outstanding medical records that need to be obtained. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for degenerative joint disease, lumbar strain; bilateral pes planus; and skin condition/rash. The issues of service connection are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of relevant evidence, including statements from fellow servicemembers and a Veteran's own statements about his symptoms during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right hip condition, finding that his pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, and right ankle disorder due to secondary service-connected right knee disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's low back injury with recurrent mechanical lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were all denied increased ratings. The rating for the right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy was granted beginning on July 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the service connection and SMC claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and her service-connected anemia.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability caused bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, which resulted in a separate rating. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his degenerative changes, thoracolumbar spine since July 19, 2021.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA treatment records and other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and back disabilities due to secondary service-connected bilateral hip, left knee, and left ankle disabilities. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing continuity of symptomatology and causation/aggravation.

The Board has denied an increased disability evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and remanded the issues of higher evaluations for right and left lower sciatica, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including heart disability, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disorder, back disability, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, but has remanded both the back and neck disability claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to active service and has been granted. The lower back condition and right shoulder condition are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for right and left foot hammertoes, flat feet, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,There is no evidence of any diagnosed conditions related to these issues during or after the appeal period.