Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's request for restoration of the ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and PTSD is granted. The Veteran also receives special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability. The increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain and bilateral plantar hyperkeratosis are also being addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disorders, but finds that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for lumbar spine disability or psychiatric disorder, nor did it meet criteria for a TDIU prior to May 18, 2022.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and low back disabilities are found to be related to service, while his other conditions remain denied.,The Board has determined that the evidence is against finding a current disability for blurred vision in the left eye, right hip disability, left hip disability, headaches, or any of the bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar muscular strain prior to September 12, 2023, was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The rating for PTSD since September 12, 2023, was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, resolving his previous claim for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability is resolved with a 10 percent initial rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential errors in adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis and DDD with IVDS, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service or are unrelated to service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of appendectomy are found to have caused her current bowel perforation and associated ileus, which in turn led to joint pain disorders. The appeal is granted for both the bowel perforation and related secondary joint pain disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service, including a reported incident of being knocked off a tank and strenuous activities as a T. O. W. missile gunner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches were denied as service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.,Service connection for anxiety/depression was also denied, with no mention of any specific in-service event or exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine prior to September 15, 2015 due to inadequate support for the Board's determination that a higher rating was not warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, left hip disability, and hearing loss. The specific conditions remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various knee, shoulder, elbow, and back disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, low back, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the functional effects are already contemplated by the rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection was also denied for various conditions, including a back disability, left foot disability, chronic body tremors, arteriovenous malformation, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran's abnormal gait is noted in both medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection for low back muscle strain, left knee condition, and right wrist condition. The claims are dismissed.