Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar microdiskectomy and spinal fusion from April 13, 2011. The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, right wrist, bilateral knee, shin splints, ankle, foot (pes planus), bronchitis, onychomycosis, and hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headache disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability requires aid and assistance, leaving him housebound due to his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his lumbar spine disabilities and any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. Additionally, he needs to be examined to assess the current severity of his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the right long finger.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy, is related to his active service. However, due to incomplete records from Naval Hospital San Diego and a need for further examination, the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, hypertension and left knee and hip disabilities are granted service connection, but sleep apnea remains pending. The application to reopen the claims for left knee, hypertension, and left hip disorders was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination in December 2016. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her thoracic and lumbar spine DDD, but her left bicipital tendon tear may require additional consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine. Service connection was denied for residuals of trench foot.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine due to in-service exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities for additional development. The initial ratings for both conditions are being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy as the evidence did not support a nexus to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with herniation is not manifested by forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, and the disability does not result in ankylosis. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied prior to December 19, 2013 and from April 1, 2014 to June 7, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability after June 8, 2015 was also denied. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that adheres to the requirements set forth in Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because granting the appealed issues would not result in any accrued monies owed, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, lumbar spine disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right hip condition, low back disability, and left knee condition have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection has been granted for status post right knee total arthroplasty based on aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.