Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to October 12, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD was denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent from February 23, 2009 to July 14, 2010.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including arthritis, diabetes mellitus, degenerative disc disease, gall bladder removal, colon cancer, kidney disability, heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The cases are being referred back for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

Prior to March 11, 2013, the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 20 percent.,From March 11, 2013 to January 18, 2016, the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability warranted a rating of 40 percent.,Since January 19, 2016, the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 60 percent, effective from May 23, 2017. The other conditions remain rated as they were prior to this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering extraschedular TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of peritonitis and for increased ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not rated higher than the current 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion or instability.,Service connection for a lower back condition was denied as there is no evidence that it began during service and is not aggravated by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed left ankle, right knee, left knee, left hip, right shoulder, left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine with radiculopathy, and cervical spine disabilities based on a finding of in-service onset and credible reports of chronicity.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disc fusion, paralysis, and cervical fusion.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. Service connection was denied for a low back disability and cervical spine condition.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a back condition, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a separate 10 percent rating, and TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to June 9, 2017 and at 20 percent from that date. The claim for increased rating remains denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has not been service connected. The claim for reopening the previously denied service connection claim remains denied.,The Veteran's low back disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, but further development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and left foot scar were denied. The issue of service connection for tinnitus was remanded. Effective date claims for PTSD and lumbosacral strain were not addressed as the issues were not raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was generally granted, with a specific rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from June 6, 2019. Separate ratings were also granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 19, 2013 to June 5, 2019 (10 percent), and from June 6, 2019 (20 percent). The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 40 percent disabling. Service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, but the issues of service connection for uterine fibroid disability and stomach problems are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issue of service connection for anxiety disorder is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lower back disorder, IBS, and GERD due to new evidence indicating current disorders not previously addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with duty to assist. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection determination.

The Veteran's initial rating of 40 percent for low back disability is granted, while a higher rating for PTSD with depression remains denied. The issues of service connection for skin disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.