Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy is currently rated at 40 percent, which fully contemplates all symptoms including pain and limitation of motion. The evidence does not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran’s right inguinal hernia residuals are currently rated at 10 percent due to the presence of one painful linear scar in his groin area. There is no indication of three or more unstable or painful scars, which would warrant a higher rating under Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-polio quadriparesis, right hip replacement, and back disability due to insufficient evidence. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for post-polio quadriparesis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for his service-connected back disability and TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the cases of asthma and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are currently not related to his military service.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities were denied increased ratings.,His right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy was also denied an increased rating, but he received a compensable initial disability rating for his right upper and left upper extremity radiculopathies.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition did not begin during service and is unrelated to any in-service injury or disease, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are related to a back disorder and a neurologic disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, including peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine due to an inadequate examination. The case is being sent back for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and evaluating the severity level of the disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10% prior to October 29, 2015 and 20% thereafter. The cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10% before November 9, 2011 and granted a 20% rating from that date onwards.,The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 10%. Service connection for the bilateral shoulder condition is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as for a painful right knee scar. Additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee pain and dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic low back and thoracic spine disability, cervicothoracic spine pain, left knee disability, and cephalgia/headaches have been denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD/Depressive Disorder, and TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and neck disability, both of which are secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The VA will obtain his complete service treatment records and schedule him for examinations to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The claims file will be reviewed, including obtaining STRs from his ACDUTRA period in 1992, verifying his service dates, and providing an examination to determine the etiology of his back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder degenerative joint disease with a history of rotator cuff repair, right shoulder degenerative joint disease with a history of rotator cuff repair, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post laminectomy, right knee degenerative joint disease and meniscus tear, status post repair, and hypertension. The remand is due to the need for additional development regarding these issues.,The Veteran's service connection claims have been previously addressed by the Board in February 2016 and February 2018, with further remands made in those decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding service connection for a back disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination and review of his treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left thigh disability and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further evaluation, including range of motion testing in active and passive motion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar sprain as there are insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence is needed.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection is denied for a right ear disorder manifested by pain.