Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cervical spine and upper extremity radiculopathy conditions are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, cervical spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, including any residual effects from his total knee replacement and recent arthroscopy.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied. The claim for an increased rating for right foot arthritis is also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a compensable rating of 10%. The claims for service connection for headache, low back, chronic left leg, and chronic right leg disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability from May 29, 2015 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's in-service complaints of pain.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for ankylosing spondylitis and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease DDD of the lumbar spine. The decision on these matters is pending further examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder disabilities. The claims for service connection for depression and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has restored the prior 40 percent rating for chronic low back strain with DDD and DJD lumbosacral spine effective February 1, 2019. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.

The Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis was granted a higher rating of 40 percent prior to October 15, 2018. A rating in excess of 40 percent for the condition beginning October 15, 2018 is denied. The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbar osteoarthritis was granted a 10 percent rating and remains unchanged. TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus, generalized anxiety disorder and initial insomnia were found to have onset in service. Service connection was granted for these conditions. The Veteran's hypopigmented lesions, GERD, and lumbar strain are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial ratings for tremors associated with Parkinson's disease due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to February 4, 2019. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The remaining claims for higher ratings on his right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.