Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post lymphadenectomy and prostatectomy, is not service-connected.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right lower extremity nerve pain, left lower extremity nerve pain, and left knee condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and cervical spine conditions due to incomplete examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine and right femur disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for cervical strain is denied, and the case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine since November 7, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's residual scars from breast reduction surgery are rated at 30% effective July 15, 2019. The rating for chronic lumbar strain with facet arthropathy is granted but not in excess of 10%. Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is separately rated at 20%.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, with separate ratings for radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities.,The initial rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remains at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,From August 14, 2015, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to incomplete development of evidence, specifically missing chiropractic treatment records from the Veteran's time in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding functional impairment and additional range of motion loss. The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent since June 27, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The examiner needs to consider lay testimony and other evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective February 4, 2020. The rating remains at 10 percent from November 23, 2012 to February 4, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, as well as further development of her Vocational Rehabilitation and medical treatment records.

Service connection for adjustment disorder with depression is granted. An evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to March 18, 2020, for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 40 percent beginning March 18, 2020, for a lumbar spine disability is denied. Separate evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and low back conditions due to insufficient clinical evidence supporting opinions on causation or aggravation.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate cancer. The back disability and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded due to incomplete records and need additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to September 23, 2002 and a 20 percent rating thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected low back disability was also granted a 20 percent rating from September 23, 2002 to January 11, 2009.