Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eye disabilities, back disability, and foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, PTSD with major depressive disorder, and a back condition is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for the back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remand directives. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining an independent medical expert opinion.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements regarding his lumbar spine condition and its onset, as well as whether injuries he described could have caused his current disorder.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees are proximately due to or aggravated by medications taken to treat her service-connected PTSD.,Entitlement to service connection for a reproductive disorder, specifically PCOS and partial hysterectomy, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service use of Depo Provera.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The matter is now being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining CVs from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations of the Veteran's back and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and sacroiliitis, an increased rating for right sciatic radiculopathy, TDIU, and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or necessary adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right arm, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 40 percent for right and left sciatic nerves since August 11, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that he developed these disabilities due to injuries sustained during active duty.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new medical opinion, due to additional VA treatment records being submitted after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 14, 2021 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension. Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot blisters, and skin rash due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has denied service connection for a stomach condition, fatigue related to Camp LeJeune exposure, and low back disability. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or relationship.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. The claim will be further evaluated by a VA medical professional.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service-connected disabilities, and the VA-prescribed medications did not result in an additional disability or death. The Board found that the medications prescribed for his service-connected conditions were not causally related to his death.