Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is granted. Prior to June 6, 2008, he was awarded a 20 percent rating; thereafter, a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability is denied.,The Veteran's request for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain with spondylosis and a rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions due to potential errors in obtaining pertinent medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and cervical conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence shows that his current condition likely began during service. However, his claims for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, and cervical degenerative disc and joint disease are denied due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.,There is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or traumatic brain injury related to service. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is also denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability. Service connection for cervical degenerative disc and joint disease (claimed as cervical strain) is not granted due to lack of a current condition.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is supported by his credible statements about the onset and impact of the condition during service, but he does not have a confirmed diagnosis of hearing loss or traumatic brain injury. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for back and right hip disorders because he was satisfied with his total rating.

The appeals for higher initial ratings on the lumbar spine disability and surgical scars of the lower back are dismissed. The appeal for TDIU from April 22, 2021 to July 31, 2021 is dismissed as moot due to the concurrent award of SMC at the housebound rate. The appeal for TDIU prior to April 22, 2021 and after July 31, 2021 is denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted, but the case is remanded due to issues with his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis disability is rated at 40 percent from June 1, 2022. The rating reflects the severity of his condition which limits his ability to perform activities like bending and lifting.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, low back, and right heel conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least as much evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability have been remanded for further review.,The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for myasthenia gravis and denied service connection for right ankle and foot disabilities. Service connection was granted for cervical spine stenosis, DDD, and DJD.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected, with a grant of service connection for chronic right ankle pain and stiffness as an undiagnosed illness. The arthritis of the lumbar spine and right ankle are denied.,Service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted due to equipoise evidence. Service connection for right ankle arthritis is denied. Service connection for right ankle pain and stiffness (undiagnosed) is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, an upper back disability, and a lower back disability. The claim for increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for spondylosis and disc bulge at L2-L3 of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hip, right knee (secondary to lower back condition), left knee, left shoulder, right hip, and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.