Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a maximum schedular rating for supraventricular arrhythmia have been granted. The issue of TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his back conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not otherwise attributable to service. The claim for chronic motion sickness was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar spondylosis have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss has been granted. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is still pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain should be remanded due to inadequate examination and need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities were incurred in or caused by service. The VA will obtain new addendum opinions from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is being reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination of his current condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including bilateral ankles), spina bifida occulta, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (secondary to a service-connected foot disability), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and cognitive disability (short-term memory loss).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent each for residuals of a low back injury with degenerative joint disease and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy before the Board made a decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and low back condition are not service-connected, with the exception of a grant of TDIU effective August 26, 2019. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her low back condition prior to August 26, 2019 is denied.

The Veteran's hammertoe of the right second toe and other service-connected conditions are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder labral tear, including SLAP, status-post labral tear repair due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disability was pre-existing and aggravated by service, or if it is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent disabling for the period on appeal from July 2, 2010. The Board finds that there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis in the thoracolumbar spine to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are being remanded due to additional development required.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, bilateral sacroiliac joint conditions (left and right), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for another examination.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right knee ACL tear prior to October 15, 2019 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter were denied. Service connection for a lower back disorder secondary to the service-connected right knee ACL tear was also denied.