Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine degenerative changes, low back spasm/strain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted. The claim for a disability claimed as joint arthritis other than the cervical spine, low back, and right knee is denied. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a back disorder is granted. The effective date of spousal aid and attendance benefits is denied. Service connection for the back disorder, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran must be scheduled for examinations to determine her current back condition, and the issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his thoracolumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of a recent VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that it is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinea pedis with onychomycosis was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or amended regulations.,Service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability were all denied. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosed low back disability, nor did he have evidence of arthritis within one year following discharge from active service.

The Board has granted the reopening of a service connection claim for a back disorder, including claimed spina bifida occulta. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions was denied. The current disability ratings are 10% for right peroneal nerve palsy, 30% for right carpal tunnel syndrome from July 10, 2019 to present, and 20% for left carpal tunnel syndrome since June 12, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated based on their direct effects without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from March 22, 2011 to July 24, 2014. The Board granted this rating and denied a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability and has ordered a remand for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to a failure to notify the Veteran of his missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The RO must attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors and schedule a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders found.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The case is remanded for further development, including an addendum VA medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with callosities.

The Board has determined that new evidence received warrants readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart disability (including as secondary to hypertension), a lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet his contention for a higher rating.,His hypertension has been rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, migraine headaches, and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.,The Veteran's hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available based on symptomatology that includes limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is due to an injury during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.