Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of current disabilities. The low back and neck disorders are remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as the weight of evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to active duty or service-connected disabilities.,Claims for increased ratings were also denied, with the Board finding no evidence supporting higher ratings based on the Veteran's symptoms and medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, breathing difficulties (pulmonary nodule), and muscle pain have been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence received since the final denial is sufficient to reopen these claims.,Further evaluations are needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for left hip condition as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is denied an initial compensable rating prior to October 12, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine condition are remanded.

The reduction of the rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and strain was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The claim for a higher rating for the service-connected disability is remanded due to new evidence suggesting an increase in severity since the last examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbosacral strain, left knee radiculopathy, and instability. The appeal for sleep apnea is also being remanded due to a lack of consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for left ear hearing loss.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence to support the contention that his lumbar spine disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability and whether he currently has any left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision also notes that the Veteran should be evaluated for right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as any bowel or bladder impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back strain was denied, and his TDIU claim was dismissed as moot due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, claimed as broken tail bone, is granted. The claims for service connection for a right arm disorder, left arm disorder, left knee disorder, and residuals from double hernia surgery (claimed as a right testicle disorder) are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 23, 2019 remains denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disability, related to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding his dental disorder, left ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorders, cervical spine disorders, inguinal hernia, cauda equina syndrome, shoulder disorders, radiculopathy, neurogenic bladder, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, and spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent effective October 9, 2017. The Board also granted service connection for foot, knee, hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that there may be outstanding relevant treatment and personnel records from the Veteran's period of service and thereafter, and therefore remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 9, 2019. From that date onwards, a rating of 20 percent has been granted.