Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 13, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent after that date has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to hazardous noise during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to a lack of VA examiners' CVs, as well as scheduling issues with previous examinations. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder was denied an increased rating from June 4, 2015 to July 12, 2022.,The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder was denied an increased rating from July 12, 2022 forward.,The Veteran's Lumbosacral Strain with Degenerative Arthritis, Spondylosis, and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) was denied an increased rating from December 28, 2016 to September 9, 2022.,The Veteran's Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy was denied an increased rating from September 9, 2022 forward.,The Veteran's Right Knee Meniscus Tear/Repair and Residual Osteoarthritis was denied an increased rating from November 1, 2013 to June 27, 2022.,The Veteran's Left Knee Meniscus Tear/Repair and Residual Osteoarthritis was denied an increased rating from November 1, 2013 forward.,The Veteran's Left Knee Symptomatic Residuals of Semilunar Cartilage Removal was denied an increased rating from September 9, 2022 forward.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disability, but denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a right hip disability.

The Veteran's low back condition and left shoulder condition are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's chronic stomach condition (claimed as residuals of appendix removal) and GERD are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is remanded for a VA opinion regarding its preexistence in service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, and left foot conditions. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to May 1, 2018 and from May 1, 2018. The cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to May 1, 2018 and from May 1, 2018.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent from May 1, 2018. The cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent from May 1, 2018.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right great toe disability. The cases are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence after the issuance of the Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to address the issues of aggravation and direct service connection for low back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of closed fifth metatarsal fracture of the left foot, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD with severe alcohol use disorder, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for a right knee disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back condition. The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back condition is being returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete range of motion measurements in the August 2022 VA examination report. Additional testing is needed, including weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing range of motion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for aggravation of an acquired psychiatric disorder resulting from treatment performed at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center is granted.

The Veteran's right hand index finger disability is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating from December 1, 2015 to April 25, 2017 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted the highest available schedular rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied any higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected digestive conditions are denied any higher rating. The Veteran's left ankle disability is denied any higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected varicose vein disabilities have caused or aggravated his lumbar spine and hip disabilities.

The Board has found that the matter must be remanded again for substantial compliance with the previous remand. The Veteran's VA Mountain Home Health Care records from November 2003 to October 2017 are missing, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was granted a 20% rating effective April 25, 2016. The right knee osteoarthritis remains at a 30% rating from June 4, 2018 to June 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting dates of separation from active military service and unclear records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence were denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.