Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome and lumbosacral sprain/strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated examinations to assess his thoracic degenerative disc disease, bilateral flatfoot disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and associated radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings, with the exception of a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination for the cervical spine disorder, and requests that a VA examiner provide opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity conditions. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted for low back strain from May 16, 1961 to December 2, 2015, and since May 11, 2017.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain, chronic patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chronic rotator cuff syndrome of the right shoulder, painful scar of the right ankle, and chronic tendonitis of the left first metatarsophalangeal joint.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is set at June 3, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical inquiry due to incomplete addressing of previous directives.

The Veteran's left hip and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their current symptoms, with no higher ratings granted. The Board has found that the currently assigned initial 10 percent ratings for both conditions are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and compliance with prior directives. The Veteran's right hip, back, right shoulder, and left knee disorders are all under consideration.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for migraine headaches has been increased to a maximum of 50 percent, but only subject to the rules and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The Board also remanded her claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2019. From June 6, 2018, to October 21, 2019, a 40 percent rating was granted. Since then, a higher rating has not been warranted.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated, but his left knee replacement is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and right foot metatarsalgia are not related to his military service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder remains under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 11, 2019, finding that he maintained substantially gainful employment during this period and was not precluded from securing or maintaining such employment due to service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection, disability rating increase, and right elbow disability are pending.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint and disc diseases are related to her service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.