Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD, left hand and right hand carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, left knee meniscal tear, right knee meniscal tear, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left foot pain, right foot pain, migraines, and lumbosacral strain are all granted service connection.,The Veteran's PTSD is related to her military service. The carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, as well as the knee meniscal tears, shoulder pain, and foot pain are all linked to her service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors in obtaining military personnel and service treatment records from the Veteran's Reserve service, confirming his periods of active-duty, ADT, IDT, and Reserve service, and obtaining SSA records. These claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate, and thus remanding all claims for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion. The Board finds that there was insufficient evidence provided by the May 2016 VA examiner, as well as speculative opinions from the private provider.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with facet arthritis on L4-L5 and gastroesophageal reflux disease are granted. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with paracentral disc herniation L2-3, right L5-S1 have been granted an initial 20 percent rating. Service connection for PTSD has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the correction of a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted for any period on appeal due to lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. A TDIU was granted effective from November 17, 2016 to July 31, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, and sinusitis have all been rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Board finds that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal, lumbar spine, cervical spine and hemorrhoids disabilities due to incomplete service department records and inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain complete service treatment records and schedule VA examinations to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has found that service connection is not established for the Veteran's claimed bilateral flatfeet and plantar fasciitis, but has remanded the claim for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's proposed reduction in the rating for lumbosacral strain from 40 percent to 10 percent was dismissed as her appeal was withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a scar was granted with an effective date of November 29, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was granted. The claims for increased ratings of chronic low back pain syndrome and calcific rotator cuff tendinitis were also granted, while the initial compensable rating for a tonsillectomy was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, headaches, and multiple musculoskeletal disorders have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back condition, sinus condition, and stomach condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses include degenerative disc disease (DDD) for the low back condition, rhinitis and sinus polyp for the sinus condition, and abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and blood in stool for the stomach condition.,The Board found that service connection is warranted for all three conditions based on evidence showing their onset during active service. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions supported his claims.