Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a lower back disability and for an initial rating for hypertension due to additional medical inquiry.

All issues related to increased ratings for various conditions are granted. Effective dates of November 1, 2010 are assigned for the increased ratings and effective date determinations.,An earlier effective date of November 1, 2010 is granted for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip bursitis, right hip bursitis, and low back disability are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. Additional functional loss during flare-ups and range of motion measurements prior to April 19, 2017 need to be assessed.

The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been remanded.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left hip disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded, and his TDIU claim remains denied as he is currently gainfully employed.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that an etiological opinion is necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD, Back Disability, and Sciatic Nerve Disability are granted non-initial increased ratings. The TDIU issue is also resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment is being remanded due to concerns about his ability to use his feet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and right hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and DJD due to inadequate VA examinations. The increased rating claim for allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to November 8, 2016, and at 40 percent from that date. The rating was denied as the evidence did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine, Hypertension, and Hepatitis C claims has been granted. The service connection for these conditions is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a head injury with residual chronic headaches is granted. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, traumatic brain injury with residual headaches, and right knee disability are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are not service-connected. The left wrist tenosynovitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete employment information, and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for right knee and lower back conditions have been granted, with service connection established.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral elbow disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral wrist disabilities, and TDIU have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a back condition has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed.,A separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee instability from November 5, 2012 is granted. The Veteran’s claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee condition remains denied.,Secondary service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities are granted.