Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right toe injury, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, affective psychosis, and adjustment disorder due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain prior to March 6, 2018 was granted. The effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain were set at March 12, 2013.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and residuals of traumatic brain injury are denied. The claim for neck pain is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's back pain and arthritis need further examination and review.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his chronic sinus disorder is denied.,An earlier effective date prior to March 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for his chronic sinus condition is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remains in dispute as the Veteran's stressor claims have not been verified, but he provided additional information about his mental health symptoms.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for lower back disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for leg cramps secondary to his lower back disorder is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected rhinitis and chronic sinus condition remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for lower back and cervical spine disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence of current severity and associated neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for weight gain is denied.,Service connection for right and left bunionectomies, status post hallux valgus, has been denied as the conditions are not diseases or injuries alone for which service connection may be established.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide these claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and left-side nerve damage, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The claim for a higher rating for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine is denied due to failure to report for a VA medical examination. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and verification of exposure, stressors, and medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right ankle tendonitis with post-surgical residuals are granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 20 percent rating for his surgical scar on the right ankle, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues due to additional evidence being associated with his case file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and insomnia are dismissed. The claim of increased rating for asthma is denied, but a 30% rating is granted effective May 5, 2015. The right knee disability rating reduction from 10% to noncompensable is overturned, and the 10% rating is restored. The back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded.