Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with thoracic strain prior to December 6, 2016 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with thoracic strain from December 6, 2016 to the present was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back and hand disorders, as well as the issue of whether a reduction in SMC was proper, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded for a higher rating, both before and after May 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for new evidence to reopen some of the claims. The VA is instructed to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as spinal stenosis and lumbar disc degeneration, is related to her military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her active service and lacks credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of consideration of lay evidence regarding long-standing back pain. The Veteran's middle back disability, including thoracolumbar strain, is being evaluated for service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing VA examinations to address the etiology of various conditions. The claims are pending until these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was granted at a 30 percent level, effective from September 2, 2004. The other issues were remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disorder and denied it, finding that new evidence does not establish that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and back condition were granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left hip condition, right hip condition, and right knee strain were denied service connection.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, status post interbody fusion L5-S1 as the evidence did not show it began during service or was related to an in-service injury.,Service connection was also denied for neuralgia of the right lower extremity because there is no evidence that it began during service and is not otherwise related to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition may be due to his low back disorder, but this does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.,The claim for left lower extremity pain was denied as there is no current diagnosis of radiculopathy or evidence showing it began during service. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis and VA examinations found no signs of radiculopathy.,Service connection for hepatitis was denied because the condition did not manifest within one year after service, and there is no evidence linking it to contaminated water exposure from Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For the lumbar strain, a rating in excess of 20 percent from June 2, 2010 to June 29, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent after June 30, 2015, is not warranted.,For the lumbar spine stenosis with degenerative changes, service connection was denied as there was no indication that the condition manifested during active service or within one year of separation. The Veteran's current condition did not have a causal relationship to his active service.,For left leg radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected lumbar strain, service connection was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service and no indication that it is related to the service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's back disability was restored to a 20% rating effective July 1, 1998. A 60% rating for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 from July 1, 1998 is granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, knee, hip, and buttock pain disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, left and right knee disorders, and a skin disorder of the right hand due to incomplete STRs and insufficient medical opinions. Additional records are needed, and an examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, bilateral knee, and lumbar spine degenerative joint diseases as part of the already service-connected generalized arthritic process.