Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected back disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent during the period prior to March 23, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, lumbar spine condition, and skin condition due to potential missing service treatment records from his Reserve service period. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if there is a link between his conditions and herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was incurred during service and is not due to any pre-existing condition. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and related headaches have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right hip, left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg length discrepancy and its superimposed conditions (Lumbar Spine Condition, Right Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis of Left Knee) is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lumbar Spine Condition is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues which were remanded. The grant includes right shoulder labral tear and back disability.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% effective June 3, 2009 and increased to 40% effective August 10, 2018. Effective June 3, 2009, the Veteran also received a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Board denied entitlement to TDIU prior to August 10, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for higher ratings and effective dates related to the Veteran's back pain and radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action consistent with prior remand directives, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The claims are back before the Board after previous denials.

The Veteran's migraine disorder is not entitled to a compensable evaluation prior to March 22, 2019 and is only rated at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis remains rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, back condition, and right ankle condition were all denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to outstanding private treatment records, failed VA examinations, and incomplete service personnel records. The Veteran is also seeking a separate claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition is related on a secondary basis to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for right upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy, right anterior thigh reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to inadequate examinations and lack of consideration of Veteran's statements regarding flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to outstanding issues.