Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder conditions, as well as his DDD of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, are all granted service connection based on their relationship to his service-connected right paravertebral muscles myositis, trapezius and rhomboid.

The Veteran's claim to reopen their previously denied PTSD service connection is dismissed.,Their initial disability rating for a back disability remains at 20 percent, and an earlier effective date for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran's rating for migraine headaches was restored to 30 percent, and a 20 percent rating was granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral feet, low back pain, right knee pain, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was established for these conditions based on their onset during periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating greater than 10 percent for his bilateral L5 spondylolysis with mechanical low back pain was denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his psychiatric and back disorders.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back and knee disabilities was denied. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and compression fractures of T8-T10, status post lumbar fusion is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. Ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities are granted at 40 percent. Ratings for left knee strain with limitation of flexion and right knee status-post operative torn meniscus (limitation of extension) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's painful scars of the right knee and posterior trunk are rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the Veteran did not have a pending claim for TDIU prior to September 14, 2014. The effective date remains September 14, 2014, as it is the earliest possible date due to service connection being established after that date.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, TDIU, and SMC. The reasons for remanding are to obtain additional medical evidence or a medical opinion, as well as to ensure compliance with directives.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was dismissed. The Veteran is granted TDIU effective October 23, 2018, but no earlier.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted, with the condition being diagnosed as right knee strain and retropatellar pain syndrome. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, as well as a left hip disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service as a parachutist.,There is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current spinal and hip conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma has been granted service connection under the PACT Act. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic conditions have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to a lumbar spine disability, are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the April 2005 rating decision. The Board requires an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current disabilities began during active service or were noted during service with continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding her claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, undergo VA examinations, and have their claims re-evaluated.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20% effective September 9, 2020. Service connection for overactive bladder was denied.

The appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and OSA are denied.