Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to July 21, 2016. For the period from July 21, 2016, a higher rating is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the left lower extremity radiculopathy as of October 24, 2018.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to obtain copies of service treatment records associated with the Veteran’s most recent period of service in the Army National Guard. The appeal is remanded due to issues with the examination reports and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her thoracic spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's complaints have been noted since service, but a definitive opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left knee condition have been granted. The initial higher rating claim for PTSD has also been granted, but the claims for headaches and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, but the case is remanded to obtain additional treatment records and provide an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the examination report regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The issues of service connection for a back disability, left wrist disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability are all pending.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, was granted service connection.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of unilateral left ear hearing loss that preexisted his active service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,Allergies, claimed as hay fever, service connection was remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disabilities were all remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.,Service connection for a heart disability (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and allergies were also remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied and the Veteran's appeal must be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for various spine conditions, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right ear hearing loss, left foot condition, and right foot condition are denied. The claim of service connection for a left knee condition is granted with new and material evidence received since the final May 1994 rating decision. The claim of service connection for a right knee condition is also granted due to new and material evidence received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claims for tinnitus, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for sinusitis. The decision is based on the lack of a current disability for VA purposes, despite treatment during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his medical care since service, including seeking private treatment records from a surgeon who performed back surgery in 2010. Mental health records are also requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.,For bruxism, low back disability, and sleep apnea, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disorder and denied increased ratings for DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or exposure.,Service connection was denied as there is no medical evidence linking any current disabilities to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, right ankle disability, residuals of eye injury, right ear disability, and right toe disability due to insufficient evidence on record.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and any associated left lower extremity neurologic abnormalities.