Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, increased evaluations for left femur fracture and left knee instability, and left knee limitation of flexion. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis or link to military service.

Service connection for lumpectomy (breast biopsy) and lower back condition is denied as the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service connection for bronchitis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 27, 2017. The radiculopathies of the right and left femoral nerves are each rated at 20 percent from July 27, 2017 to June 23, 2018, and at 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease was reduced from 20% to a noncompensable rating due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The reduction is now restored, and the Veteran retains a 20% rating effective January 1, 2020.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,New and relevant evidence has been received, allowing readjudication of the claims for service connection for a headache disorder, a psychiatric disorder, and ulcerative colitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to inconsistencies in employment history, education level, and income reported. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 and complete any necessary forms regarding his employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, sacroiliac weakness and lumbosacral intervertebral disc degeneration, as well as arthritis of both hands. The conditions are deemed to have started during active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure. The right wrist, right ankle, lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability due to lack of evidence showing chronic in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptomatology, and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease (limitation of flexion), and right knee degenerative joint disease (limitation of extension) have been granted increased ratings. The effective date for these increases is April 16, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance, his housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, and if his condition has worsened since the last examination. The decision will be based on the updated evidence.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet or approximate the criteria for ratings higher than 20 percent prior to October 28, 2019 and higher than 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy and lumbar disability have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent from March 1, 2016 to October 29, 2018. The cervical disability has also been granted an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, GERD, left ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran must file a Statement of the Case (SOC) on these issues before he can appeal them further.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, and also granted service connection for a chronic thoracolumbar strain (back disability). The decision is based on evidence showing that her OSA may be related to obesity caused by her service-connected left knee disability. Service connection was denied previously due to lack of evidence linking OSA to service or toxic exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent from November 20, 2019 for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for sinusitis based on receipt of new and material evidence is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is granted due to the PACT Act.,Service connection for back disability is denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for kidney disease is reopened but not granted, as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for hypertension from August 10, 2022 pursuant to the PACT Act is granted.,Service connection for osteoporosis on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for OSA on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for bruxism on a secondary basis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to newly associated evidence.

The Board has dismissed the neck and back condition claims, and has remanded the left upper extremity radiculopathy claim. The right upper extremity radiculopathy claim is also remanded.