Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appellant's claims for effective dates earlier than April 18, 2016, for service connection of lumbar strain, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Board also dismissed the appellant's claims for initial increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lumbar spine disability. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including his testimony at a hearing. The claims are now pending further examination and opinion from VA medical experts.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbosacral spondylosis. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his service or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with DDD is not rated higher than 20 percent.,A 10 percent rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints prior to July 20, 2018 has been granted. The condition was manifested by painful limited motion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, and further development is required.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were aggravated by service or related to service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to lack of new and material evidence, as all submitted evidence was duplicative or did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back and knee disabilities are related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and hypertension. The examiner is to consider whether her service-connected knee disabilities aggravated her obesity, which was a substantial factor in causing her back disability or hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder, finding that these conditions are caused by his service-connected foot disorders.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 26, 2019, and at 40 percent thereafter. The right knee and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for a right upper extremity disability (likely peripheral neuropathy) and a left lower extremity disability (likely peripheral vascular disease or neuropathy) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand condition is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to service.,Service connection for a disability characterized as muscle pain is also denied, as there is no medical evidence of such a condition during or after service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and low back condition due to insufficient development in previous opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back condition remains pending.

The Veteran's increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and potential TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of low back pain due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed as there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is granted a 30% rating, but no more. The lumbosacral strain with IVDS claim is denied. Service connection for bilateral foot disorders is also denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was increased to 20 percent, but his claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as low back disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted due to new evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current symptoms and his military service.