Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to August 30, 2018. The radiculopathy of the right and left sciatic nerves were also granted initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for periods prior to December 19, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted. Increased ratings were awarded for lumbar strain (40%), bilateral foot degenerative joint disease (10%), and migraine cephalgia (30%). The effective date for the increase to a 10 percent rating for bilateral feet degenerative joint disease is May 25, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as they were not incurred in the line of duty during the appellant's ACDUTRA service from March 1982 to June 1982.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer due to asbestos exposure during active duty. The decision on secondary service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded as the provided medical opinion was inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative changes, lumbar spine with spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis from October 29, 2001 to March 21, 2014, and since July 1, 2014 due to insufficient evidence in the prior VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions due to inadequate examination in June 2022. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headache and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.,For cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, additional development is needed as there are no current diagnoses provided by the VA examiner.

The Board denied an extension of a temporary total rating due to treatment requiring convalescence for a lumbar spine disability beginning June 1, 2014, as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis are rated at 20 percent before March 16, 2021, but denied for a rating greater than 40 percent beginning March 16, 2021.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted separate 20 percent ratings since January 30, 2013. A TDIU has also been granted from October 28, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating he no longer wished to pursue the claims for service connection or rating increases. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 20 percent for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed due to withdrawal by his representative. The issues of service connection for bilateral wrist / hand / finger disabilities, secondary to service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, are remanded.

The Board has found the VA medical opinions inadequate and remanded for further development, including a new VA medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's low back condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral shoulder and/or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, eczema of the bilateral upper extremities and hands, scarring alopecia (perifolliculitis capitis abscedens), and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) facial have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for referral to the Director of Compensation Service due to insufficient discussion in the June 2021 decision regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support its onset during service or being related to his service-connected left knee condition.