Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and remanded the right hand pain claim.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent prior to March 14, 2022 and 20 percent thereafter. A separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective March 14, 2022 has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right leg shin splints, and left leg shin splints as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral foot disorder due to lack of in-service records, and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for another examination. The Veteran's service connection claim is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and complex regional pain syndrome of the left leg, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected internal derangement of the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability were denied higher ratings.,Radiculopathy in the upper and lower extremities, as well as femoral nerve paralysis and external cutaneous nerve paralysis of the lower extremity, were also denied higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2013. However, he was marginally employed from September 9, 2008 to December 31, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2011, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mid back and lower back pain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, sciatica, and periodic limb movement disorder as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to service.,There were no current diagnoses meeting VA standards for hearing loss, and the Veteran did not have a diagnosed back disability. The Board also found no link between any in-service treatment and current back pain or sciatica.,The Veteran's claim for periodic limb movement disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of this condition related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD was rated at 10 percent prior to February 14, 2011 and at 20 percent from that date onward. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (RKPFS) was rated at 10 percent prior to February 14, 2011 and at 30 percent from that date onward.,The Veteran's cervical spine DDD remains rated at 20 percent from February 14, 2011 onward. The right knee RKPFS was remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to a lack of medical evidence on file for determining the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The claims are REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied due to failure to report for an examination scheduled in conjunction with the claim.,The Veteran's current service-connected cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative disc disease. The issues of service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The addendum opinions are needed to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, as well as the low back disability, are remanded for further development.