Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current ratable disability.,His right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, specifically whether he had ischemic heart disease during his lifetime. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease remains on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities, as well as shin splints, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection and rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and chronic fatigue syndrome due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as consideration of potential toxic exposure under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate development in obtaining private treatment records from Dr. J.E.L., Dr. E, and other providers.

The Board has remanded the claims for an extraschedular rating for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 31, 2006 due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been granted. During flareups, the Veteran's forward flexion most nearly approximates 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chronic headache disorder, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his bilateral upper extremity and back disabilities were denied. The rating for ulnar nerve entrapment at elbow (left upper extremity) was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a greater than 20 percent rating. Similarly, the rating for carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment at elbow (right upper extremity) was also denied. The rating for low back strain with degenerative changes was denied due to lack of evidence showing severe incomplete paralysis or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The opinion failed to consider the Veteran's statements about his symptoms and progression of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is asked to submit or authorize VA to obtain records from private providers who have treated him for these conditions since service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar spur is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, episodes of visual loss (floaters), arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and nerve damage is granted. The AOJ should arrange for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and foot conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran.,A new examination is required for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and thoracolumbar strain with mild degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his reported stressors during service are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, lumbar, cervical neck, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inadequate etiological opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, including as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claim was also denied for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in previous examinations and because of the interrelated nature with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied as of November 5, 2022. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a change to the assigned 20 percent rating due to lack of functional limitation significant enough to more nearly approximate flexion restricted to 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The claim for a higher rating prior to November 5, 2022 is remanded as the VA examination did not provide an opinion regarding the severity during flare-ups and after repeated use over time throughout the period on appeal.