Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from February 1, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and neuropathy of the left leg, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist tendonitis and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lumbar radiculopathy and service connection for right hip bursitis were denied. The claim for service connection of headaches was remanded.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU, and the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, given inconsistencies in previous opinions and the lack of documentation from service.

Effective June 2, 2014, a rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with compression fracture at L2 is granted.,Beginning July 7, 2016, a separate rating of 60 percent for neurogenic bladder is granted. Beginning December 7, 2016, a separate rating of 30 percent for fecal incontinence is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. His service-connected back disability has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of tinnitus and a back disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The issues of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded several claims related to low back, knee, and shoulder disorders. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to new evidence indicating the Veteran may have lumbar stenosis.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the claims for a seizure disorder and headache condition. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, thoracolumbar spine was denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective December 17, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's back disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to April 21, 2017 and is now rated at 40 percent after that date.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities remains a pending issue for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, reopening a previously denied claim. The Veteran had continuous back pain since service and her current diagnosis is related to her in-service symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed low back disability began during his active service and is causally related to an in-service injury, granting service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine does not meet the combined disability rating criteria for threshold consideration of a TDIU. The Board finds that referral under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Compensation and Pension Director is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and remanded the issue of TDIU due to the need for a disability rating first.