Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for adjudicative purposes regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions clarifying the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss, left ear is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder and increased ratings for residual head scarring and painful scar are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of a crush injury to the right hand, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all granted.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals for a compensable rating for onychomycosis and reopening of previously denied claims. Service connection has been granted for right knee strain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims of service connection for several conditions, including BHL, allergies to sulfur drugs and insect bites, ear infection, dacrycystitis, fracture of nasal bone, endometriosis, gastroenteritis, a dental disability, residuals of cysts removal, left foot and toes injury, bilateral hip condition, right arm pain, right elbow condition, cervical spine disability, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, BLE numbness (numbness of legs, right side pain and numbness), and service connection for left knee. The Board has also reopened claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, BLE numbness and right-sided pain, a cervical spine disability, right arm pain, right elbow pain, and a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, but only up to a 20 percent rating prior to February 7, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating is dismissed as the Veteran expressed satisfaction with this rating and indicated it was appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has approximated the functional equivalent of ankylosis, which could affect the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine traumatic paravertebral myositis, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right and left ankle strain, and chronic tonsillitis, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with multilevel degenerative disc disease and L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and surgical fusion was granted an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The issue of service connection for functional and neurological impairments as secondary to the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and its relationship to service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, as well as a need for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is caused by or aggravated by an injury during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA while in the United States Naval Reserves. The low back disability claim is also remanded due to its inextricable intertwining with the service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's periods of active duty with the Michigan Army National Guard need to be verified.

The claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation, including an addendum opinion from a provider regarding whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 2006 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to a back disability. The Veteran's hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.,Service connection for a back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and bilateral hearing loss were all denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy due to missing VA treatment records, inadequate examination reports, and legal questions regarding pain and ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new and material evidence submitted since the final denial in February 2015.

The Veteran's back disorder with residuals is remanded due to insufficient analysis in the previous VA opinion regarding the cause of his additional disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for more recent SSA records and employment information from his former employer(s).

The Veteran's left knee disability, tinnitus, and right foot disability are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The low back and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use is denied a higher rating.