Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left ear hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and sleep disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.,The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be inextricably intertwined with other issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and lumbar spine disorders. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule VA examinations for further evaluation of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, tension headaches, and low back disability have been granted with effective dates of March 26, 2010. The earlier effective date for TDIU has been remanded.,Service connection for a heart disability and hypertension remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back disability and remanded the claims for sleep apnea. The case is now pending further examination and opinion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 40% disability rating for lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition warranted such a rating prior to May 23, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder has been reopened and is granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric condition, as well as the current severity of his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 30, 2011. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.,The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 30, 2011. Both conditions warrant a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of compensation for service-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease is denied.,Service connection for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral ankle conditions are both denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and foot conditions are remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. A separate 10% rating is granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the femoral nerve.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding initial disability ratings for his pneumonectomy residuals and residual scar. The claim to reopen a service connection claim for lumbar spine disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence in the prior rating decision.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder and rating for degenerative disc disease due to incomplete examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to determine if he has a diagnosable disability, whether it is related to service or a service-connected condition, and the current severity of his spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability is granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for flatfeet and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding effective dates earlier than August 7, 2016 for service connection for various conditions was denied.,The Veteran's appeals regarding initial disability ratings were either not addressed or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder arthritis and related secondary disabilities. The primary reason was the lack of a current disability linked to service.,There is no evidence of any current left elbow, right elbow, or right shoulder disabilities, nor are there sufficient symptoms that would support such diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical sprain, cervical spondylosis, and lumbar spondylosis, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and bilateral extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection, with a rating of 20 percent for the right arm and shoulder disability.

The claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and vertigo have been reopened. Service connection is granted for the lumbar spine disorder and vertigo but denied for the right hip disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant treatment records.