Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the entire period on appeal. The hypertension claim has been granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and his TDIU prior to June 21, 2012 were both denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied. The Board upheld the denial of higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including arthritis and sarcoid arthropathy.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with suspected spondylosis/interarticularis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent from March 1, 2012 to September 8, 2020. The Board found that the disability did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was rated at 10% prior to June 3, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited range of motion and lack of severe muscle spasm or abnormal spinal contour.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service, and the Board found no current diagnoses or established continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS is rated at 10 percent from August 4, 2010 and 30 percent from March 27, 2019. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted for the period prior to March 27, 2019. For the period after March 27, 2019, a higher evaluation of 40 percent or more is not warranted due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations conducted in October 2019. The new examinations must comply with the Board's previous directives regarding range of motion during flare-ups or repetitive use.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied increased ratings and TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings or unemployability.

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, with the rating for back disability being granted from October 18, 2012 to September 16, 2019. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to March 28, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent beginning March 28, 2016. PTSD symptoms are rated as total occupational and social impairment since March 26, 2016. OSA severity results in the use of a breathing assistance device but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 3, 2019. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied because he does not meet the criteria based on his service-connected disabilities, as none of them qualify under the specific provisions for such benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise causally related to his military service.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain and sacroiliac joint degenerative arthritis, effective March 29, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating above the current 20 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis and herniated disc at L5-S1 (back disability) and a head scar, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.