Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, ischemic heart disease (IHD), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, hypertension, brain hemorrhage, to include strokes, and memory loss. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since January 30, 2018. From January 9, 2020 onward, a higher rating for the condition is denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and right knee instability are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings. The Veteran is granted initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, pneumonia residuals, and lumbar spine disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's nasal surgery residuals (including nosebleeds) and bilateral hip disability remain unresolved.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral hip disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection requests for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder, right ear hearing loss, and tension headaches have been granted. The initial rating for right upper extremity radial sensory neuropathy has also been granted at a 30 percent level. Service connection was established for anxiety disorder after the claims were reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for lipomas due to insufficient examination and failure to readjudicate inextricably intertwined issues of service connection.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation, as is his low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability was rated at 20 percent from June 1, 2006 until June 28, 2016. The rating was denied as the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar stenosis status post fusion, left lower extremity radiculopathy (left leg disability), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (right foot disability) are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD from May 24, 2013 through February 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and TDIU prior to March 31, 2018 are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating prior to May 18, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is granted since December 10, 2008. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and left knee disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected back disability. The claims are remanded for further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with PTSD and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with surgical scar due to inadequate examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran’s right hip and left hip disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and right ankle disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records, and requests for these records have been sent to the service department.