Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded several cases involving the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with spurring and status post chondroplasty, recurrent subluxation of the right knee, postoperative cervical fusion with Brown-Sequard syndrome prior to July 6, 2018, and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss, upper back, lower back, acid reflux (GERD), respiratory disability, and hemorrhoids were denied service connection. Service connection for the disabilities of the upper and lower extremities was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee meniscal tear have been rated, but the Board has not determined if additional service connection is warranted for neck, shoulder, or sinus conditions.,The Veteran's knees require further examination to determine their current functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for back and left knee conditions, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's epididymitis with hydrocele has been granted a noncompensable rating.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied and final claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were all granted initial ratings. The claim for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders are related to her military occupational specialty duties.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hand disorders due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has determined that the cause of death is unclear and remands for further development to determine if service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, and the TDIU claim was remanded due to lack of information from previous employers.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disorder and back disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disease and left knee degenerative arthritis, but the case is remanded for further development on other issues.,Additional search efforts are needed to obtain missing October 1987 to March 1988 ACDUTRA STRs. The Veteran should be notified of these efforts and given an opportunity to submit alternative evidence.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes with stenosis, finding that the current condition is not related to service due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or a link between in-service injuries and the current disability.

The Veteran's claims for separate ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and erectile dysfunction are dismissed. The claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulpous with spinal stenosis is denied. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it was aggravated during active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and epidermal inclusion cysts on back disabilities. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine condition are both remanded for further examination and opinion. The rating for the lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral knee replacements are each rated at 60 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for the low back disorder was denied, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis. The ratings for the bilateral knees remain unchanged.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and her radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially granted a 10 percent rating before February 5, 2014. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating after that date remains pending.