Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, but denied a higher rating. The case is remanded to determine if rheumatoid arthritis should be service connected as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatitis and lumbar spine disability on the basis of aggravation of preexisting conditions during periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. However, additional development is required as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the condition is related to service. The Veteran's TDIU claim also requires further development due to lack of updated work history and employment information.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including a respiratory disorder, fatigue, hypothyroidism, low back disorders, right and left knee disorders, left ankle disorders, left foot disorders, and right foot disorders. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has found that a new examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and bilateral knee disabilities due to conflicting medical evidence. The appeal is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cervical and lumbosacral spine issues are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot damaged nerve, low back pain, left knee condition, and sleep apnea must be remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is etiologically linked to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in their current state. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with effective dates of October 1, 2010 (psychiatric disability) and December 10, 2018 (low back disability).,The Board found that the Veteran met the requirements for a 40% rating for his low back disability since August 25, 2010 due to daily flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the propriety of a combined evaluation of 90 percent assigned as of October 1, 2010. The RO applied the Combined Ratings Table correctly and determined that the Veteran’s combined rating was 90 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and sciatica. The VA needs to obtain medical records from SSA and provide a medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for headaches and PTSD has been granted. The rating for PTSD is at the maximum allowed level of 70 percent.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints has been reopened, but not established as a disability.

The Veteran's right ring finger status post-surgery has been granted a noncompensable rating, as the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.,A compensable rating (10 percent) is granted for the service-connected left knee with scar since November 23, 2016. The Veteran's instability and soreness have been considered.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted a disability rating of 10 percent effective June 13, 2017. The reduction from 20 to 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is upheld.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received. The issues of low back, bilateral knees, right ear hearing loss, abdominal hernia, shoulder disabilities, heart murmur, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of chronic back symptoms during or after service and concluding that any current condition is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations conducted during the appeal period. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for a chest condition. The low back disability is related to service and the Veteran was awarded a 30% evaluation effective February 7, 2011.