Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was restored to 40 percent effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they are not related to service.,Degenerative Disc Disease of the Neck (previously characterized as spondylolysis L-5 on S-1) and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Back were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the neck and back was remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they are not related to service.,Degenerative Disc Disease of the Neck (previously characterized as spondylolysis L-5 on S-1) and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Back were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lower lumbar neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, has been dismissed. The Veteran was granted TDIU.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for IBS and GERD have been denied as they are not service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they are not related to service.,Degenerative Disc Disease of the Neck (previously characterized as spondylolysis L-5 on S-1) and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Back were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, including a thoracolumbar spine condition. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran and finds that his current chronic low back pain is related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylosis is denied. The claims for effective date of service connection for a superficial residual surgical scar, SMC at the (r)(1) level based on need for aid and attendance due to low back disability and urinary/fecal incontinence, and SMC at the (r)(2) level based on need for regular aid and attendance are granted.

The Veteran's service connection for urinary incontinence and loss of bowel control secondary to her low back disability is granted. The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and denied initial ratings for headache disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's headaches are rated at 10% from May 1, 2015, but the claim is denied for higher ratings. The cervical and lumbar spine conditions do not meet criteria for initial rating higher than 10%. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a diagnosed heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatica are currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2020 and 20 percent after that date. The Board denied a higher rating for the right and left lower extremity sciatica.,For the left lower extremity, the Veteran's disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found no evidence of moderately severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's back condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise caused by active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has also remanded several issues including the right knee, left knee, sleep apnea, TDIU, and rating for the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and considering the impact of service-related factors on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee and lower back disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back disability, finding that it began in and has progressed since service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The appeal for service connection of headaches secondary to the cervical spine disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and left shoulder impingement syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability.