Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are both denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome were restored to 40%, 20%, and 30% respectively effective July 1, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability was denied.,Restoration of ratings for low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and RUE ulnar impaction syndrome were granted based on improvement demonstrated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of low back disability is granted and remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 30, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis and recurrent strain of the left ankle, based on aggravation during service. Service connection is also granted for a hip disorder and low back disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and PTSD. The Veteran's current disability ratings remain unchanged.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the left foot disability, including whether it was aggravated by service and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, a left knee disability, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and erectile dysfunction, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 90%.

The Board denied a claim for an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional impairment and loss due to pain, flare-ups, and repetitive use. The Veteran was currently rated at 20 percent.

The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is granted with an effective date of February 10, 2017. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with chronic muscle spasms has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his request for a personal hearing and the appeal itself.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition (claimed as back-herniated discs).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, OSA, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule examinations for PTSD, migraine and mixed muscle contraction type headaches, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy, and to provide an examination regarding the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral knee conditions have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and back disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The right knee medial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders due to a lack of SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a mechanical low back disability is reopened. The Board finds additional development necessary due to the possibility of worsening knee disabilities and new onset of lower back pain.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and for obtaining additional treatment records.