Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's sleep disorder is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for a separate disability. The right tibia fracture residuals are rated at 10% and no higher.,The Veteran's right foot condition and bilateral hips condition are remanded to determine their relationship to her service-connected right leg disability.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is also remanded to determine its relationship to her service-connected right leg disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Board has also granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right foot condition, left foot condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his knee, back, COPD, and hemorrhoids disabilities.

The Board has vacated its decision and remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, Parkinson's disease, left knee disability, bilateral hip disability, and TDIU prior to August 29, 2019. The rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis remains at a 40 percent effective September 13, 2007.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right leg radiculopathy disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted at a 30 percent rating effective November 4, 2021.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and right foot disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for spondylosis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, memory loss, and insomnia are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right foot and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection as it is reasonably shown to have had onset in service and persisted since.,The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the right wrist was withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, was denied. The rating for the lumbar spine disorder remained at 10% prior to May 30, 2008, and was raised to 40% thereafter.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional evidence, including the claims of service connection for eye disability, dizziness, right knee and left knee disabilities, and a right foot and left foot disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date is dismissed due to finality.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine disability, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service disability or continuity of symptomatology. The Board also remanded the remaining issues.,The Board found insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current knee and wrist conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete records and untranslated documents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if her respiratory disability and back, right knee, left knee, psychiatric (anxiety disorder), and skin disabilities are related to her active service.,VA examinations will be scheduled to address these issues.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinions are inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's back conditions began in service or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 30, 2013. The earlier effective date appeals for radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and conflicting evidence, including the Veteran's lay testimony about his back issues during service.