Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to in-service back problems.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of glaucoma, bilateral ankle disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the left hip, and peripheral neuropathy are all pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee patellar tendonitis and left-side sacroiliitis were denied as the medical evidence did not show limitation of motion or other impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, neck, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with IVDS is rated at 40% since January 8, 2010. Effective September 1, 2012, the Veteran was granted a TDIU and eligibility for DEA benefits due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for low back disability due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches, neck disability, and back disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's heart disorder is denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain is granted as service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of sinusitis. The claim for sinusitis is denied.,Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) is granted.,Service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve is remanded.,Service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve is remanded.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and is granted as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip condition, left knee condition, Vincent's disease, loss of teeth, and low back condition (secondary to right ankle disability).,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition and entitlement to TDIU due to her service-connected back disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right foot condition that she believes is secondary to her service-connected back disability, and she also seeks an increased rating for her TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for additional development due to missing documents within the claims file, including additional evidentiary submissions or statements by the Veteran. The matter must be remanded in order to ensure compliance with the Board’s remand instructions.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 10% prior to August 12, 2019 and 20% from that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10% prior to August 12, 2019 and 20% from that date.

The Veteran's mechanical low back strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, status post-operative C6-C7 fusion with residual scar are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since November 2, 2009. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the May 2018 VA examination results and the need for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar and lower extremity nerve disabilities.