Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 9, 2014 and at 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's anal fissure with status-post lateral sphincterotomy is currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's service-connected anal fissure has been found to have constant slight or occasional moderate leakage of the rectum and anus, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7332.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability and its range of motion during a specific period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed on a de novo basis and further examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left knee tendonitis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received initial ratings for his left knee tendonitis and a separate rating for lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, rectal carcinoma, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with arthritis is rated at 20 percent from April 30, 2012 and remanded for further examination.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) associated with lumbar spondylosis with arthritis is rated at 10 percent from April 30, 2012 to December 19, 2019 and remanded for further examination.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) associated with lumbar spondylosis with arthritis is rated at 20 percent from December 20, 2019 and remanded for further examination.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) associated with lumbar spondylosis with arthritis is rated at 10 percent from April 30, 2012 to December 19, 2019 and remanded for further examination.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) associated with lumbar spondylosis with arthritis is rated at 20 percent from December 20, 2019 and remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and her PTSD is rated at 70 percent. The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TBI, tinnitus, and TDIU are all granted.

The claim for a higher evaluation than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with mechanical back pain and degenerative joint disease is denied. A separate noncompensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran’s low back disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities. The examiner must address these issues in a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,Service records are missing or destroyed, making it impossible to establish a direct service connection for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is denied for a low back condition as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of additional evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, headaches, vertigo and syncope, and neck condition. The claim for back condition remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and for service connection for a back disability due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and back disability, but has remanded his claim for service connection of left carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to left wrist tendonitis.

An effective date of June 2, 2009, is granted for the grant of service connection for a lumbar strain. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and allowed to this extent only.

The Board denied service connection for back condition, bilateral eye condition, and chest pain as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was denied, and the Board found that she is not entitled to a higher rating. The issue of service connection for a back disability was remanded due to inadequate development.