Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Board has not awarded a higher rating.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability and kidney cancer are both remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for a cervical spine disorder, and TDIU due to incomplete examinations and conflicting evidence.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied as there was no prior claim on a standard form prescribed by the Secretary. A rating of 70 percent for recurrent major depressive disorder with alcohol/drug use disorder from October 6, 2015 but not earlier is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back pain and cervical spine strain. The evidence submitted since the last final denial supports a finding that these conditions are related to service, including a fall in 2001 and an injury in 2003. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy were granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The claims for increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability has been denied. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases or Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disorder.

Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, a back disorder, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's recurrent yeast/bacterial infections, headaches, cellulitis of the left thigh, hidradenitis suppurativa, an epidermal inclusion cyst of the scalp and residuals thereof, and back disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, compress spine fracture (back disability), plantar fasciitis, and bilateral heel spurs have been denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature of his back disability and sleep apnea, as well as to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: hypertension and chronic lumbar strain, due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 2, 2009.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied them based on the lack of new and material evidence. The claims for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, rash, back of neck and face, limitation of flexion of the knees, left knee pain, right knee pain, lower back injury (claimed as back conditions), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and headaches have been reopened but remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a left shoulder disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection and rating for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected.,An initial disability rating of 10 percent for urinary incontinence prior to November 14, 2017 is granted. A higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine spondylolysis existed prior to enlistment and was not aggravated by service. Service connection for back injury is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a low back disability is denied as the weight of evidence does not support that VA treatment caused or worsened his condition.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is also denied because there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury.