Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, as well as obtaining outstanding private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the appellant's military service and to obtain new VA opinions on the etiology of his back disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and the Board finds it necessary to remand this matter for clarification regarding whether her service-connected disabilities preclude her from performing the duties of the occupation for which she previously was found rehabilitated or if the occupation is unsuitable on the basis of her specific employment handicap.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability (DJD) and a low back disability (DDD), finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other compensable condition.,Both conditions were determined to be unrelated to active duty, with no credible evidence of onset during service.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a neck condition and service connection for a back condition, both secondary to the Veteran's left-hand injury. The Board found that VA examinations are needed to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while limiting his employment opportunities, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are less than total in severity and he has other employable skills.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease were denied in February 2011. The Board finds that the February 2011 decision contained CUE as it failed to fully consider available evidence of record, including service treatment records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted with an effective date of January 26, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's low back strain and associated peripheral neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The low back strain was rated at 10 percent prior to August 19, 2020, and at 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury and that any present conditions were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left varicocele.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for GERD and remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain and trapezius strain. The Veteran's GERD is being examined to determine if it is related to service, while his back conditions are being examined to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine DDD, right knee DJD, and lumbar spine DDD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's vitiligo is already rated at the maximum 10 percent, and no higher rating is granted.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's low back disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,Prior to December 1, 2020, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. Beginning December 1, 2020, it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,Prior to December 1, 2020, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. Beginning December 1, 2020, it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for genital warts was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence, thus denying the reopening of this claim. Other claims were remanded due to insufficient treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and hip disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service, but the nexus between current disabilities and service remains unclear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability has been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected left leg gunshot wound residuals are contributing to his current back pain, which is causing him discomfort.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 2, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent from May 21, 2020. His left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is denied. His femoral nerve radiculopathy in both legs is also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2019, and at 20 percent from that date. The Board has remanded both issues for further development. Additionally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.