Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bacterial sinusitis with rhinitis is granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it began during service.,Right knee osteoarthritis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Migraine headaches are granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is established as the evidence supports its onset during service.,Cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is found to be related to service.,Lumbosacral strain with thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis is found to be related to service.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and left arm (shoulder) condition due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to September 16, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he is not entitled to TDIU on or after that date as his combined evaluation has reached 100 percent and there are no other service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or higher.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied.,The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his lumbar spine disability was dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and left leg disability due to insufficient development, including inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected knee disabilities and these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral wrist, eye, and migraine headaches disabilities. The cases are being remanded for further development regarding his knee, spine, toe frostbite, and chest pain issues.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for a back disorder and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are not sufficient to determine whether any diagnosed conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed neck and back disorders as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's IVDS in the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination findings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has also remanded this issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of an increased rating for right foot heel spurs, service connection for residuals, total knee replacement, and a low back disability. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back condition and service connection for a right hip condition, as well as his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations to address the current severity of the Veteran’s conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 1, 2018, for dependency allowance benefits due to lack of evidence of claim and receipt of notice of dependents.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for VA examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The remaining issues, including those related to the Veteran's hip condition, back condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee condition, high blood pressure, tinnitus, and PTSD, are remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there was insufficient evidence to consider an extraschedular TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic migraines began during service and have continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's deviated septum was incurred in service due to trauma from boxing training.