Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative disk disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased evaluations and service connection. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post C4-C5 laminoplasty, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and cervical radiculopathy, upper radicular nerve group, left upper extremity. The latter condition is also granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post C4-C5 laminoplasty.

The Veteran's right knee medial instability and lumbosacral spine disability have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 20% rating. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine and upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but granted separate ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are granted service connection.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted, as it is secondary to his service-connected right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for right knee disability, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding VA treatment records. Separate compensable ratings are also being considered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for her service-connected back disability was granted effective May 24, 2017. The decision does not address the earlier date of claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, psychiatric disorder, dental disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate examinations and new evidence is needed. The issues include lumbar strain, right hip strain (impairment), right knee strain, left knee status post ACL repair and arthroscopy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been rated at 10 percent since February 1, 2011, through October 5, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show limitation of motion consistent with a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and lack of verification regarding combat incidents in Germany. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his combat experiences during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding his employment status, complete VA Form 21-8940, and undergo retrospective findings from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to active service, particularly given the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder is granted. The appeal seeking restoration of a 20% rating for lumbar spine disorder, effective May 1, 2018, is also granted.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and has determined that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim, finding his lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was related to service. The rating assigned and effective date are not specified.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee and bilateral hip disorders. The remaining issues have been remanded for additional development.