Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the April 2016 VA medical opinion and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from November 13, 2017. The Board has remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims for low back and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for attorney’s fees related to past-due benefits from March 1993 to September 2011 was denied as the Veteran did not have a service-connected disability or combination of disabilities rated at least 50% disabling, and therefore could not receive concurrent VA compensation and military retirement pay.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, right ankle, left hand, right hand, left knee, and right knee has been granted.,Service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lower back and neck have also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right upper extremity condition and low back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further development is needed as VA treatment records are missing.,VA has not provided an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s current right upper extremity conditions (other than carpal tunnel syndrome) are related to his service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis, finding that it is related to a traumatic injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's upper back disability is aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain and/or right elbow arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, back disability, and vertigo due to the lack of current disabilities.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis (DA) of the lumbar spine and hiatal hernia are denied.

Service connection for migraine headaches is granted, with an effective date of January 29, 2016. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was initially granted based on aggravation during a period of active service from January to March 2012.,The claim for an earlier effective date for the right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to January 12, 2010 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him helpless enough to require regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, lower back condition, left hip condition, and bilateral knee condition. The issues were not remanded but rather denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records, SSA records, worker's compensation information, and further examination if warranted. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of whether extraschedular considerations should be applied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant records. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, knee, stress fractures, hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, and migraines.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left knee DJD. However, the issue of whether the Veteran's left knee DJD is aggravated by his service-connected right knee DJD or lumbar spine arthritis remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted at a 10% level prior to July 25, 2014. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10% beginning July 25, 2014, is denied. For bilateral hallux valgus, no compensable ratings are assigned.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbar disorder and remanded it. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to lumbar disorder is also being considered.