Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar stenosis. The appellant needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain updated records from private providers and an advisory opinion is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve, left hip or thigh disability, right hip or thigh disability, and right knee disability, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not rated higher than 30 percent.,Prior to March 16, 2018, the Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder was rated at 10 percent; since then, it has been rated at 20 percent. The left shoulder condition remains at 10 percent prior to March 16, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was initially rated as noncompensable but is now rated at 20 percent; his cervical spine condition has been rated at 10 percent since March 16, 2018.,Left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right hip strain with osteoarthritis have both been rated at 10 percent. The left hip strain conditions are each rated at 10 percent prior to March 16, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter for limited flexion.,The Veteran's right hip strain with osteoarthritis has a separate noncompensable evaluation for limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective October 16, 2012. Ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of service connection as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's GERD rating remains at 10 percent, and the issue of an increased rating is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, low back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a nexus to service.,The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to his duties as a drill instructor during active duty, but there is no indication that he sustained any injuries in the line of duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia, bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins, and residuals of frostbite, feet. The reasons given were that the conditions did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period, and there was no continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's left hip disability, which is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, has been granted. Additionally, the Veteran was awarded TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities since November 14, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, TBI, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and sciatica, left lower extremity. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD claim for service connection was granted. The reduction of his low back disability rating from 40% to 20% was denied, and the appeal seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and hypertension have been reopened, and they are now granted.,PTSD remains at a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his left knee disability, including a VA examination. The reduction of his radiculopathy ratings is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, broken sternum, left shoulder disorder, vision disorder, COPD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and jaw disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed disorders to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is related to service. Additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and a medical examination, is needed.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The effective date for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis is denied. Right knee and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar spine DJD and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been restored to their prior levels.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded.

Service connection for a neck/cervical spine disorder, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease and disc extrusions, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and left varicocele is denied.,Effective dates for these grants are not being granted prior to March 25, 2013.