Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's ear pain is granted as secondary to her service-connected TMJ dysfunction.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted, with the condition being presumed incurred in service due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was granted a 20% evaluation effective February 24, 2015. A separate 10% rating for right knee meniscal tear surgery and ACL reconstruction is also granted. The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension remains at a maximum 30% since January 31, 2017.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for lumbosacral spine disability and Bell's palsy was granted. The claim for epilepsy remains denied.,Bell's palsy is considered a current disability, but the evidence does not support its service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his service connection claims for lumbosacral spine and right knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability has been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of her claim. The appeal for service connection for neck and low back disabilities was withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar strain have been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome in both knees has been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected medial tibial stress syndrome in both legs has been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been remanded for an examination to determine whether he currently has a disability within the meaning of VA regulation.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye condition has been remanded for an examination to determine whether any diagnosed conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, left hand, right hip, right thigh, bilateral ankle, bilateral foot, and bilateral toe disabilities have been remanded for examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, and herpes simplex.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right arm, right wrist, left wrist, low back, right knee, and left knee conditions did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating at any time.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's sinusitis, which could potentially warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for a back disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, back disability and bilateral leg disability, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records, verifying service dates, and scheduling examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the Veteran's back disorder, which may be related to her service as an engineering assistance specialist. Updated VA treatment records are needed and she should undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, hematuria, and skin disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is granted effective September 13, 2018. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine DDD and disc disease with compression fracture at L4 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition, left eye condition to include hypertensive retinopathy, and skin disorder (athlete's foot), as well as the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been reopened, and both conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hip conditions, foot conditions, and hypertension. The issues of secondary service connection for right leg condition and left leg disability have also been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service onset or chronicity of symptoms and concluding that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.