Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim also requires a new examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for these conditions and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,Service-connected back disability was initially granted a 20% rating, which has been increased to 30% after March 25, 2017. The current rating of 20% remains unchanged prior to that date.,The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 10%. No higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 20%, and no higher rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including skin cancer and hypertension. The remaining issues are also being remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands and other joints, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or related to active service. The TDIU claim was granted as the appellant's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for her lumbosacral spine disability is remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, a new examination, and consideration of flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 20 percent for sacroiliac joint dysfunction with chronic lumbar strain is granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a lumbosacral spine disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, bilateral leg disability, headaches, pulmonary embolism, and DVT of the left leg. The appeal is being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active service.,The VA examinations did not find any link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis is characterized by limitation of flexion greater than 30 degrees but not 60 degrees. The Board finds that an increase rating above 20 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service jump from a helicopter during combat.

The Veteran's lumbar herniation status post discectomy is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 28, 2013. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition prior to that date and after it.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20% effective June 5, 2017. A separate 20% rating is granted for each lower extremity radiculopathy condition as of November 13, 2017. Effective April 14, 2014, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

Service connection for hearing loss in left ear is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for skin cancer on face is denied.,A compensable rating for hearing loss in right ear is denied.,The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.,The claim for service connection for a vestibular disorder in the right ear, to include vertigo and loss of balance, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension claims are being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain should be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to an injury during service, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the back brace issued in connection with service-connected lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome. The left knee and left wrist braces were not granted as they are not related to any service-connected disabilities.