Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right medial epicondylitis are each granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent from May 1, 2010 to November 6, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and a rating in excess of 20 percent for back strain. The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted a 20% rating from May 18, 2015 to June 2, 2021.,The Board also remanded the claim for an increased hearing loss rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was dismissed because the evidence did not substantiate a reasonable possibility that the condition was related to his military service. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 16, 2018 was also denied as there is no sufficient evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated as 10 percent prior to September 10, 2020 and 40 percent from that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's right knee conditions are currently rated as 10 percent each. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service complaints and exposure to hazardous noise.

The Board has remanded the claims for a headache condition, hypertension, and back condition due to insufficient evidence of their relationship to service-connected epilepsy. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his service-connected epilepsy.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.,New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's spine and nerve disabilities due to a worsening of symptoms since his last examination. The TDIU claim is deferred until these examinations are completed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for lumbar spine strain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the Veteran's attorney withdrew these appeals in December 2021.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disorders. The case is REMANDED to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder.,Prostate cancer, kidney condition, and bladder condition are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Back disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability).,Right hip disability and left hip disability are both remanded as they may be related to service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's linear lower posterior middle back scar, but remanded the issues of higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's sleeping and eye disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and lumbar spine condition must be remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a back condition due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for pes planus has been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a nexus to service. The petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied as no material evidence was received. His PTSD remains at 70%.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative facet joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical DDD and left knee DJD have been denied. The case is REMANDED to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be further developed, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, National Guard personnel records, and conducting additional examinations.