Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, including mild degenerative disc disease L2-L3, due to inadequate VA examination and missing treatment records. The case is returned to the Board for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disorder based on limitation of motion prior to August 2, 2012 was not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disorder based on instability from May 25, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met at various points in time, leading to a remand for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and remanded the issues of secondary service connection for bilateral shoulder, neck, and back disorders. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder (lumbosacral strain) and a right hip disorder (trochanteric pain syndrome), both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD status post ACL reconstruction.,Service connection was denied for a right leg disorder, other than right knee DJD.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine and low back disorders due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for Hepatitis C, Right Hip Disorder, and an earlier effective date for hemorrhoids. The Lumbar Spine Disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a nose condition and an initial rating of 10 percent for spinal stenosis with thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition remains pending.

The Veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant and adaptive equipment are denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a retroactive award of benefits.,The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding her current condition.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected conditions is 50%, and she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her migraines. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her knee, hip, ankle, and spine disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis, previously rated as intervertebral disc syndrome. The RO has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent effective March 11, 2016.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for his lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, which is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, finding that it is causally related to his active military service. The TDIU claim was also granted from February 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent from December 20, 2017. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU were not met prior to July 17, 2009.

The Veteran's GERD, post-operative HNP of the lumbosacral spine, right Achilles tendonitis, and RLE radiculopathy with atrophy of the right calf are all rated based on their respective service-connected conditions. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 28, 2017 are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.