Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) of the lumbosacral spine. The previous rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was found improper and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee status post total arthroplasty (left knee disability), and bilateral foot disability, all secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection for pelvis misalignment is denied due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnosis.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete medical opinions, unobtained VA treatment records, and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating from March 1, 2016 to December 12, 2019.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted from January 20, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that there is no direct link between the current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate examination findings and missing private treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, low back, and left hip conditions as there is no competent evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral disc disease and right shoulder traumatic bursitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's osteoporosis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine are both granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for his gunshot wound/shrapnel to low back, with Hepatitis C and abdominal exploration and sub-total gastrectomy was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the period from January 28, 2013 to November 13, 2014. The decision also noted that his depressive disorder was granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, hypertension, drug/chemical abuse dependency, and a mental health issue. The claim for service connection of the lower back condition is being remanded.

The Veteran's cataracts were denied as the evidence did not show that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The chloracne was granted as it became manifest within one year of his separation from service and is presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Asbestosis and COPD were both denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his current lumbar spine conditions and in-service diagnoses, as well as whether his radiculopathy had its onset during service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 17, 2014. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate for this period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability. The claims for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding causation.