Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of lumbar laminectomy and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The decision also notes that there may be outstanding medical treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and employment information needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability due to additional development. The Veteran's right knee strain is already rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated employment history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and left hip conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to January 25, 2018. Since then, his PTSD symptoms worsened significantly, making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims. The Board affirmed the denial of these claims in multiple decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence that he has met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the thoracolumbar spine condition and right shoulder condition are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injuries, left eye welding burns, sleep disorders, low back disabilities, knee and ankle issues. The appeals are related to in-service exposure or other direct causes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of back disability, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine L5-S1 annular tear with degenerative disc disease, finding that her current condition is at least as likely as not related to her in-service back injury and pain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating for the period prior to August 17, 2018 and a 40 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the examination and opinions provided.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection. The initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from March 21, 2014. Bilateral hearing loss, headaches, acid reflux, residual scar, right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatica (left lower extremity), and sciatica (right lower extremity) have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for fluid behind left ear, as there is no evidence of such condition during or shortly after service and no causal link to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's service connection claims for spermatocele of the right epididymis and lumbosacral strain were granted.,An effective date earlier than August 18, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected closed fracture, lumbar vertebrae; radiculopathy of the left lower extremity; and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination for the Veteran's service-connected kyphosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, due to inadequate previous examination. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to May 13, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter.