Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected upper back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his in-service injury and considering both medical opinions in equipoise.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her in-service low back pain and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they warrant higher ratings.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbar disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease with weak muscles and IVDS, was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from April 11, 2006 to October 2, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was present before service and not aggravated by or during service, thus denying service connection.,There is no evidence that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected costochondritis. The Board finds it unrelated to service on a direct basis as well.,Similarly, there is no evidence that the Veteran's right hip and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected costochondritis or related to in-service injury. They are found not to be related to service.,The Veteran’s heart disability was denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to service-connected costochondritis.,TDIU claim is denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for the Veteran's ankle strains and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not result in occupational impairment that prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to September 6, 2019 and from September 6, 2019. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent throughout the period on appeal.,Service connection for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted from December 21, 2010. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for right upper extremity and low back disabilities, as well as liver disability. The Veteran's original claim of service connection for eye disability was denied due to lack of a disability subject to service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied because there is no evidence of a diagnosable PTSD during the appeal period. Liver disability claims are remanded for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, but denied service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's low back strain and sciatic nerve impairments are currently rated based on their functional limitations, with no specific rating assigned for the conditions.,The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination assessing the current severity of the Veteran’s lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left sciatic nerves.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities, but denied both claims. The right ankle disability is not considered to have worsened during service, while the lumbar spine disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to groin disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), left shoulder disorder, and low back disorder are remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, as well as his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, have been granted a 20 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period.