Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with IVDS is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS.,The Veteran's left wrist posttraumatic arthritis with history of strain, status post left radial fracture is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relationship to her service-connected bilateral knee disability. The case will be reviewed after further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, status post discectomy, is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The back condition and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are rated at their maximum levels, while tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of medical records from the George Washington Hospital in Washington, DC. The Veteran's right knee and back disabilities need to be evaluated with these records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding range of motion measurements from earlier VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The claim for a higher initial disability rating for her low back disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not etiologically related to his active service and arthritis of the low back was not present within one year of separation from active service. The Board also found that the low back disability is not caused or aggravated by service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with mild thoracic spondylosis and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities was denied. The Board found that a rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, separate compensable ratings for sciatic radiculopathy prior to August 12, 2018, and staged initial ratings for sciatic radiculopathy from August 12, 2018 to July 5, 2023 were not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee instability due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his low back condition, which he contends is related to parachute jumps during active service or caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increase in his disability rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate examination and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar disorder due to conflicting medical evidence regarding which nerves are involved, as well as outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and left knee disability, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to in-service noise exposure.,His right ankle injury residuals are denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is granted. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, but the Board finds no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and skin cancer. The VA will need to provide additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity (major) is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity (minor) is granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. Service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disorders. The remand is due to insufficient evidence on whether pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.