Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is rated at 40 percent effective July 15, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU from July 15, 2009 to January 26, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, melanoma, and lumbosacral spine strain are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.,A separate compensable rating (10%) has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran’s cervical spine disability has not resulted in ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required for higher ratings.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his back disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis, effective October 1, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to a high-speed ejection from an aircraft during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a low back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease. The Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disorder was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of in-service injury or continuous symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between her current disabilities and her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder had its onset during service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because the prior directives were not substantially complied with. A new VA examination is required to address the Correia and Sharp standards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral hip conditions are not related to his active service.,The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence linking any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's sensory neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent, and his back disability remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board has granted a higher rating for the sensory neuropathy but denied any increase in the rating for the back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, but his back condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his degenerative disc disease and related conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle degenerative joint disease, right hip replacement, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), painful surgical scar due to hip replacement, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all the veteran's appeals for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs and metatarsalgia, posterior thigh muscle (left thigh disability), hypertension, inguinal hernia, kidney stones, and generalized anxiety disorder. The appeals were withdrawn by the veteran's representative on September 21, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot residuals from a cold weather injury, neck and back disability (ankylosing spondylitis), and left knee disability as secondary to service-connected neck and back disabilities. The decision is based on direct service connection.