Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete records and a need to verify one of his claimed inservice stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative joint disease are service-connected, as they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for PTSD, but denied for Hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver.,Service connection was granted for PTSD based on combat exposure during service. However, service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis were both denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including lumbar and cervical spine due to inadequate development. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis, is related to her service-connected bilateral hip strain. The examiner must also assess whether the lumbar disorder was caused or aggravated by her service-connected hip disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new and material evidence. The claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for left lower radiculopathy, but the case is remanded for further development and examination regarding back condition, left leg radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine due to potential aggravation by his bilateral hip and left knee disabilities. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar herniated disc from April 27, 2013 to February 9, 2020. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent evaluation for this period and was denied higher evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 14, 2010 to October 31, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total disability rating due to surgery necessitating convalescence is remanded.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, bilateral shoulder strain, elbow arthritis, hand arthritis, and knee arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability due to insufficient examination findings and conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding both direct and secondary service connection, as well as aggravation. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected right ankle, low back, and right little finger disabilities. The Veteran also needs a new examination to assess the severity of his right little finger disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as for potential new evidence related to hearing loss, sciatica, and respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, and bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or prior to the appeal period.,Service connection has also been granted for tinnitus.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, low back disability, and hypertension are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability are rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent prior to January 12, 2020 and at 20 percent thereafter.