Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability, right knee disability, and low back disability. The claims for increased ratings of osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his low back disability from February 10, 2014 is denied. The claim for TDIU prior to October 6, 2011 is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current kidney disorder, and his claims for hyperthyroidism (Graves' Disease), eye disorder, GERD, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to incomplete medical records and need further examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to issues with the duty to assist and inadequate reasons or bases in the previous decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or any residuals thereof. The issues of service connection for vertigo, back disability, and related conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, and an eye disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection is being remanded for further development regarding hypertension and eye disabilities.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 11, 2015 for his entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected back and left knee conditions. The decision also states that the Veteran's TDIU claim was not granted prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability, cervical spinal stenosis and fusion, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his active-duty service and his current condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's low back disability is not secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The issue of service connection for bilateral ankle instability is remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a back disorder and an umbilical hernia were denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence, and the medical evidence does not support direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar scoliosis. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective November 7, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities on a direct basis. Service connection for left lower extremity nerve disability is also granted as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter in Saudi Arabia during active duty has been established. The Board finds that service connection for left foot degenerative arthritis cannot be determined at this time.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. Service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted, while service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, ingrown toenails, and a skin disorder are denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of an injury to the left index finger was denied as there is no current disability.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 10 percent, with a finding that it does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of functional impairment and normal examination findings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to unresolved issues regarding effective dates and service connection determinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to procedural defects in the appeal process.