Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA remand instructions were not fully complied with, and thus, a new addendum opinion is needed to address secondary service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) from February 7, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal to increase the ratings for his bilateral knee and back disabilities has been dismissed due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder tendonitis, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, a right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, left elbow disability, and left rib injury. Service connection is granted on de novo review.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support his assertions and noting that his reported history did not align with clinical findings at separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran likely had a muscular strain in July 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left alveolar squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's headaches, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for her back disability was also denied, with no specific rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, specifically whether it is related to service. The AOJ must verify the dates of active duty and National Guard service, obtain relevant personnel records, and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as it was incurred in service due to noise exposure during deployment.,The Veteran's low back condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty.

The appeal for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hyperlipidemia, and restless leg syndrome; and an effective date earlier than December 12, 2017 for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right piriformis syndrome, sciatic nerve, and related hip conditions due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's rotoscoliosis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease L4-S1 with spinal stenosis, right knee strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The appeal for service connection for sleep disturbance, including sleep apnea is dismissed. The rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is denied and the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence due to surgery for left ganglion cyst removal is denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection, ratings in excess of 10 percent for left ankle and lumbar spine disabilities, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, left.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinions along with Dr. A.A.'s positive nexus opinion persuasive in granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for right knee strain, as well as service connection for lower back condition, cervical arthritis with spondylotic changes, and left arm neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve has been assigned a separate 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome and left knee osteoarthritis due to the appellant's withdrawal.