Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder and keloids due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted service connection as it began during active service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and evidence in support.,Lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and arachnoid cyst of the brain are not granted as they occurred during a period where the Veteran was barred from VA benefits.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied due to already having the maximum schedular rating available.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is dismissed as it was severed effective December 29, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to new and material evidence. The effective date for the increased rating of 30 percent for headaches remains denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity prior to May 24, 2018.,The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent but not higher due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. The left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis is also rated at 20 percent as there is no limitation of motion that meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, right knee strain, and left knee disability. The Veteran is also entitled to a compensable rating for his right knee limitation of extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a back disability, and a headache disability (including migraines). The Board found no credible evidence of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, extrinsic asthma, and migraine headaches due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 20, 2014. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the entire appeal period and denied entitlement to higher ratings or additional benefits. The case is remanded for further action on TDIU and DEA eligibility claims.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for spondylolisthesis has been dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic urinary tract infection is granted. The Veteran's increased disability rating claim for lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated, with the majority of issues being remanded for further review.,Service connection was not granted for peripheral vestibular disorder or cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain evidence. The Veteran's low back disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disability was reopened and granted. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also granted. The claims for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the February 2023 Board remand requests and therefore, this claim must again be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected obesity is attributed to his service-connected left plantar wart and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which has caused him to develop polymyositis and arthritis of multiple joints. The Board grants service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right knee status-post ACL reconstruction, right knee instability, and left knee patellofemoral pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in its decision regarding whether the Veteran's back pain represented an early manifestation of arthritis. The case is now being reviewed with a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current back condition and his service-connected foot and/or knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and limitation of motion have been remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues for readjudication due to the submission of additional evidence since the last decision. The Veteran is requested to waive AOJ consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral ankle, knee, and OSA disabilities. Service connection has also been granted for left ear hearing loss but denied for right ear hearing loss.,Remaining issues of service connection are remanded for further review.