Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of left ankle sprains was increased to 20 percent from June 25, 2008 to October 23, 2008. The rating for DDD of the lumbar spine remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and disability ratings has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastrointestinal, right hip, and low back disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any such disabilities began during service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (persistent rashes) is denied due to lack of documented in-service treatment and the absence of a chronic condition requiring a shaving profile.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of entitlement to evaluations for various service-connected disabilities due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent from March 3, 2015 to January 3, 2020 and increased to 40 percent effective January 3, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with these conditions.

The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is granted, and the case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right foot, knee, back, stomach, and psychiatric conditions. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, right wrist, lower back, and bilateral knee conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant VA and private medical records and schedule the Veteran for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective November 22, 2004.,Increased ratings of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are granted, both effective June 26, 2006.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a separate evaluation for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete medical records from Mercy Philadelphia Hospital, as well as addendum opinions regarding the service connection of back disability and inguinal hernia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and back disability, both secondary to his left knee disability. The rating for his right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease cervical spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective July 3, 2019. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and high blood pressure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The lumbar, cervical, and left hip disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to April 28, 2015 is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected low back disability prior to December 1, 2012 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.