Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating for hearing loss and service connection for right eye glaucoma. The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is an approximate balance of evidence supporting a link between the condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of low back disorder, respiratory disorder, dental disorders involving teeth #11 and #18, left hand disorder, and psychiatric disorder for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rehabilitation plan and vocational rehabilitation services need to be reviewed due to her request for a change in her long-term goal from obtaining an engineering degree to pursuing a medical doctorate. The discontinuance of her VR&E services was also challenged, and both issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete VAMC treatment records, inadequate VA examinations, and other issues.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting eye condition did not worsen during service and was not related to any in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was also denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic low back symptoms in service, nor did they manifest within a presumptive period following separation from service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were noted more than a decade after his separation and do not show continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Board denied service connection for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, concluding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within a presumptive period following separation from service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were noted more than a decade after his separation and do not show continuity of symptomatology since service.

Service connection for a neck condition is denied. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) was not incurred or caused by his active duty service.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most severe level being Level VII under Table VI of VA rating criteria.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability is denied. The weight of evidence does not support finding that the Veteran has unfavorable ankylosis or required prescribed bed rest to treat his back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues on appeal, including increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar paravertebral myositis was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for ankylosis, which would allow for a higher rating.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities did not begin during his active service or are otherwise related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 28, 2013, and in excess of 60 percent from August 28, 2013 to February 5, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from February 6, 2016, forward, for service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The remand also includes the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 29, 2015.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder. The case will be returned to the examiner to address the Veteran’s contentions, including his symptoms and history, as well as statements from his spouse and Dr. H.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, right ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His lumbar strain with degenerative changes and pseudofolliculitis barbae were also evaluated, but no new issues or appeals were raised.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The criteria for higher ratings were not met prior to October 12, 2020, and from that date, the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, skin disorder, and jaw disorder. The appeal is being returned to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for frostbite of the left and right feet were denied, but his claim for low back pain was granted.,Service connection was established for low back pain, with a finding that it began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of fractured lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and cervical radiculopathy, but denied service connection for the Veteran's low back condition as secondary to his right shoulder disability.