Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board also remanded the remaining issues, including service connection for a neck disorder and higher ratings for various knee disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection. The right knee disability was denied for increased ratings prior to August 10, 2017 and from August 10, 2017 to February 4, 2019. A rating of 60 percent for the left knee disability beginning March 1, 2019 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) and cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis with impingement and thoracic outlet syndrome is remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, IBS, tinnitus, or medications.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and intravertebral disc syndrome in the lumbar spine are service-connected.,Patellofemoral pain syndrome in the left knee is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability (secondary to service-connected disabilities) and hypertension. However, additional development is needed before these claims can be decided on their merits.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for migraines, a back disorder, and bilateral CTS. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to conflicting evidence and inconsistencies in the examination reports. The claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability from April 4, 2016 to March 22, 2019 due to inadequate examination and failure to consider all evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for Kienbocks disease of the right wrist and hand, to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of Bennett's fracture of the right first metacarpal (right Bennett's residuals).

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The remaining claims for bilateral hearing loss, mid/lower back disorder, right hand disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar low back disability, right hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential issues with service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for various other conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, chipped teeth, and right ankle condition. The Board found no nexus between the current disabilities and service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue disorder, and GERD were not granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of a 20% rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for temporomandibular joint disorder, status post left mandibular fracture, was withdrawn. The claim for an initial maximum schedular disability evaluation of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The issues of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, and neck disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his lumbar spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran contends that his lumbar spine disability warrants a higher rating. The Board finds no evidence to support such an increase.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and analysis.