Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and gout as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative changes and radiculopathy is granted a 20% rating prior to December 3, 2019. Since then, the claim for a higher rating remains denied. The lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes is also granted a 20% rating since December 3, 2019. Additionally, entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is reopened, but service connection remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A new VA examination is needed to reconcile findings with private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and low back disabilities, which have been rated at 10 percent for over five years.

The Veteran's spouse needs regular aid and assistance to perform daily activities due to chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that the evidence supports a need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine injury residuals, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, bronchitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard and Reserve periods of service. The claims will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability, but has remanded it due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for paresthesia in hands and feet, granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bunions, and granted service connection for rhinitis. Service connection for sinusitis was not established.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and osteoarthritis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and osteoarthritis are also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve his eyes, have not resulted in anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, but they have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 1, 2019.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with, and thus the claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's fatigue, skin symptoms, muscle or joint pain (other than fibromyalgia), sleep difficulties, gastrointestinal symptoms, and/or back disability are secondary to service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including treatment records and opinions on causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right ankle, eye, and respiratory conditions due to insufficient medical opinions.,Flu residuals are also being remanded as there is uncertainty about whether they are separate from service-connected TBI residuals.

The Veteran's low back disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, and hernia are granted. The Veteran is also granted higher ratings for PTSD and hernia from specific dates. Other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and low back disability have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the current left knee disability.,Reconsideration of the previously denied claim of service connection for sinus disability (claimed as hay fever) is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the current sinus disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetic retinopathy, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for diabetic retinopathy due to lack of incapacitating episodes under the revised criteria. For PTSD and lumbar spine disability, the Board noted that there was no evidence of at least 7 incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.