Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of back condition and neck condition have been dismissed. The appeal for HIV-related illness is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, with some issues being remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for new VA examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical disc disease due to a lack of recent VA examinations, and requests for additional records from the Veteran.

The Veteran's disability rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease at L5 - S1 was restored from 20% to 40%. The reduction in rating was improper, and a new 40% rating has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. Separate ratings in excess of 10 percent were granted for peripheral neuropathy of the lower right and left extremities beginning December 17, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 20% from April 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy and total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for left upper scapular pain and low back pain have been reopened, and service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected lumbar disc disease prior to October 4, 2012 was denied. However, the Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent but no higher from October 4, 2012 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine DDD, as well as the propriety of reducing his disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from May 4, 2009 to June 11, 2014 due to his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10%, and the issue of evaluating his lumbar spine disability with intervertebral disc syndrome remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The issues of increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted, and an effective date of July 12, 2013, was established. The claims for service connection for Right Hip Disability and Back Disability were denied.

The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cutaneous discoid lupus and remanded the cases of chronic lumbosacral strain and PTSD for further development.