Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar DDD has been granted a restoration of a 40 percent rating, effective the date of reduction.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected lumbar DDD at the L4 vertebra is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for residuals of tuberculosis, an eye disorder, and a sinus condition are denied.,Service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to in-service radiation exposure is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions. The TDIU claim is also being reconsidered.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability, both claimed as back pain and neck pain respectively. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection due to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Board also found that there is no direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 10, 2007. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 60 percent, effective August 10, 2007. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The reduction of the rating for cervical spine DJD from 30% to 20% was improper, and a restoration of the 30% rating is granted. A rating in excess of 30% for cervical spine DJD remains denied.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting additional information about the Veteran's employment history. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, rating increase for lumbar degenerative disc disease with arthritis, and TDIU are being addressed.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for left foot DJD is denied. The Board has remanded the cases of low back disability, left hip disability, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in the June 2018 decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability and liver disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Service connection for low blood platelets remains remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current disabilities are related to his in-service injury and treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding whether the lumbar spine disorder is aggravated by the service-connected bilateral legs postoperative phlebotic status.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder as requested by the Veteran.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of upper back and right knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for PTSD prior to August 9, 2013, have been remanded by the Board. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was already granted in a July 2019 rating decision, effective June 12, 2019. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been resolved.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain and TDIU prior to February 23, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation and is not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues are related to evaluating his service-connected lumbar spine disability.