Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to June 1, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent from that date, for degenerative disc disease cervical spine; and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for scar, status-post spinal stimulator installation. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome, left side.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for hypertension and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective December 12, 2011. The issue of an initial rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection, including obtaining private treatment records and new medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for low back and left shoulder disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to an 80 percent evaluation, but he does not have an employment handicap for VA vocational rehabilitation purposes and is therefore denied VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy were denied, with the exception of a temporary 100% rating from August 28, 2018 to October 1, 2018. The current ratings for his service-connected conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. A rating of 70 percent has been assigned for PTSD since January 11, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbosacral strain (back trauma), cervical strain (neck pain), and right knee disabilities.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle and low back disabilities due to incomplete development of records, including inpatient hospital records from service. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have started during his military service and has continued since.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, skin disorder, and lumbar spine disability were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that they are not related to his in-service conditions or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder and right elbow disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The Veteran's surgical scar related to pilonidal cyst excision did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, while his lumbar spine disability was not shown to have had its onset in service or be otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his acid reflux disorder and TDIU claim. The lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the April 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in December 2021.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for the service-connected back disability was granted at a 20 percent level from September 13, 2014 to October 23, 2017. A higher initial rating of over 20 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The issues are remanded for addendum opinions and additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, but the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability rating for his lower back condition and service connection for an umbilical hernia are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the Board has remanded it due to incomplete development.