Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to June 1, 2020, and a higher rating of greater than 40 percent thereafter was denied.,A separate 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was granted. A higher rating of greater than 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating for a right knee disability, service connection for a left knee disorder, and service connection for a low back disorder due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from August 30, 2016 to October 6, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right foot arthritis, left foot arthritis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The cases are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed conditions as his claims were previously denied based on lack of a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for lumbarization due to failure to comply with prior remand instructions and to ensure compliance with the terms of the remand.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as drug addiction), and a low back disability. The new evidence submitted by the appellant raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease are rated at 10 percent prior to November 10, 2022, and at 40 percent thereafter. Separate ratings for LLE radiculopathy (rated as 10% since November 27, 2013) and RLE radiculopathy (rated as 10% since June 12, 2019) are granted. Service connection is granted for left foot hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The new examination is required to address the short time between the end of the Veteran's service and his diagnosis, as well as whether his left hip disability either caused or aggravated his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for cystic acne and its residuals, to include scarring, is granted. The Veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective March 29, 2010.

All appeals for increased ratings and effective dates are dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current low back disorder, including degenerative joint disease. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent from April 3, 2023. The case remains on appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to that date and any issues related to the increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence. The Veteran's back disability may be related to service, but a secondary service connection is not warranted without further evidence. For his right elbow disorder, there is no indication of an in-service injury or symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for back disability and left knee disability due to incomplete records from the Veteran's periods of incarceration. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to clarify the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and to address issues related to TDIU. The examination will include range of motion testing, assessment of functional impairment due to pain, and evaluation of any flare-ups.