Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, and lumbosacral strain due to a lack of objective evidence during a 12-year period following service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability was granted. However, the claims for lumbar spine disability were denied.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are related to his death. The appeals were not about exposure to herbicides or any other specific conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected back strain with degenerative disc disease. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and lower back disability due to inadequate examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to February 21, 2003, for service-connected valvular heart disease; a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability; and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ is instructed to consider both the former (pre- January 12, 1998) and current (post- January 12, 1998) criteria for evaluating disabilities of the spine when readjudicating the initial rating assigned to the Veteran's valvular heart disease. The AOJ is also instructed to schedule a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and to issue a SOC addressing the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for PTSD, low back disability, erectile dysfunction, and diverticulitis. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 16, 2016. The CAD claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence received since the September 2013 rating decision. The low back condition is denied as not related to service. The CAD, diverticulosis, and GERD claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but he is not rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and left knee condition were denied initial ratings in excess of the assigned disability ratings. The lumbar strain was rated at 10% prior to March 25, 2019, and 20% thereafter. The left knee condition was also rated at 10% prior to March 25, 2019, and 20% thereafter.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee torn meniscus repair with residual arthralgia (right knee disability), and left shoulder disability were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied an increased rating.,For the initial rating period from April 29, 2016, a compensable disability rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for low back pain, service connection for right shoulder and neck disorders secondary to service-connected low back disability, due to insufficient examination findings and lack of clear rationale in some opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine if his current low back disability is related to in-service injury or event.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The issues include back disorder, plantar fasciitis, left knee scar with keloid, and sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated from August 26, 2016 to June 1, 2018 at a 20 percent rating and from June 1, 2018 at a 40 percent rating. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated from June 1, 2018 to October 3, 2018 at a 40 percent rating and from October 3, 2018 at a 20 percent rating. Service connection for the skin condition is remanded.

The Veteran's deviated septum with difficulty breathing is not service-connected.,The Veteran's lower back disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements and the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection was granted.