Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted a separate compensable rating of 10 percent for right knee instability.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, and a left leg disability (sciatica). The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 2, 2016 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 2, 2016 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before or after December 2, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a link between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, and he is awarded a separate 20 percent rating for his right lower extremity sciatica associated with lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in November 2010, and the effective date of the subsequent grants was set at June 11, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, lumbar spine disorder, and inner lower lip scar due to inadequate VA examinations and missing service personnel records.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including arthritis, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic in-service back pain and that his current condition is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc and joint disease (DDD). The examiner is asked to provide an addendum report on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s current DDD, including any MRI and injection records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted at a 40 percent evaluation, effective March 2, 2010. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are each granted at a 40 percent evaluation beginning March 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back condition and a left leg condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's lay statements, medical opinions, and VA treatment records are considered in determining whether there is a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA examinations are inadequate and need to be redone.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee total arthroplasty and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in December 2019.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the requirements for a VA examination, and thus the case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's low back pain with lumbar stenosis and degenerative disease is granted service connection, and he is also granted SMC for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to be attributable to service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests that the Veteran provides records of his back complaints since service. The examiner is asked to determine if any diagnosed low back disability was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back disability, an initial compensable rating for a skin disability of the right hand, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right wrist degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his lumbar spine DDD is being remanded for additional examination and analysis. The Board finds that a VA examination should be conducted to determine if the Veteran’s lumbar spine DDD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and hypertension, both of which are secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on whether these conditions are related to service or if they were aggravated by service-connected PTSD.