Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied prior to July 9, 2014.

The Veteran's Bell’s palsy was denied as it is not related to service or any service-connected disability.,The appellant withdrew her appeal for increased ratings of hemorrhoids, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, chondromalacia patella (left knee), chondromalacia patella (right knee), pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopneumonia, peptic ulcer disease and gastritis, prostatitis, and pyelonephritis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted. For the period from September 13, 2012 to April 28, 2015, his initial rating for low back disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. For the period after April 28, 2015, his claim for a higher rating for low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran had new and material evidence to reopen her claims of service connection for right hand tendonitis and left hand tendonitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disability is reopened, and he is granted secondary service connection for OSA. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, and left hip bursitis due to inconsistencies in previous examinations and need for further clarification on the relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 10% evaluation. The issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and increased ratings for his knee disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service. The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain an injury to his lumbar spine during service and had no continuous symptoms following discharge.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for nasal fracture, status-post septoplasty. The appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and sinusitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's testimony and April 2017 hearing during the evaluation for TDIU. The case is now being returned to the Board for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of recent Court holdings.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 10% rating, but not higher. The back and left thigh neuropathy cases are remanded for further development. Service connection claims for left knee condition and chronic pain syndrome are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and spinal stenosis. The remand includes requesting additional medical records, including a May 30, 2006 treatment note from UPMC Passavant Hospital, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA examination reports and treatment records. The issues include rating adjustments for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right foot superficial peroneal neuritis, left foot degenerative joint disease, chronic otitis media, and a right ear injury with perforation of tympanic membrane. TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from November 1, 2015 through December 14, 2015 was granted. The left knee disability rated as 10% prior to December 15, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened, and the case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability prior to May 22, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, but it is remanded for further development and an examination to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions, radiculopathy, ankle disability, and limitation of extension. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.