Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, headache disorder (migraine), and lumbar spine disorder are related to service. However, additional evidence is needed for these claims as well as clarification on whether his TBI is secondary to sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The right shoulder trauma claim is granted, while other psychiatric, back, knee, and neck disorders remain pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain with trace retrolisthesis at L3, L4, and L4-5 and segmental instability (low back disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, vision loss, sore throat, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence supporting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, and TBI, as well as his claim for service connection for a back condition due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's conditions, including degenerative spinal disease and degenerative disc disease, right eye glaucoma with traumatic cataract, and right thumb fracture with degenerative changes, have worsened since his last VA examinations. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated treatment records and conduct new VA examinations.

The Veteran's left little finger disability is rated at 0 percent, as there are no limitations of motion or other functional impairments that warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder DJD is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been denied.,Prior to December 2, 2019, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent and from December 2, 2019, it was rated at 20 percent. Both ratings have been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent each, throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability was denied. Separate initial ratings of 10 percent were granted for sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities effective October 12, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD, and initial ratings for LUE and RUE thoracic outlet syndrome were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine DDD was partially granted with a 10 percent rating prior to March 31, 2021 and a 20 percent rating from that date onwards. His claims for initial ratings of LUE and RUE thoracic outlet syndrome were also granted but at the same time denied for increased ratings after March 31, 2021.

Your appeal has been remanded to the AOJ for additional development and consideration of your service connection claims. You are required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated you, and all outstanding VA medical records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee disabilities, low back disability, or sciatica.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, sleep disability (including sleep apnea), hypertension, migraines, and TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. The Board finds that remanding the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and impotence is necessary as the representative has recently advanced that these disorders may be secondary to obesity caused by the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance, higher ratings for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum to the previous examinations regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination for service connection of a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 29, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for his back disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 12, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of lumbar spine disability, headaches, hypertension, and enlarged heart with chest pain and abnormal EKG. The remaining issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's sinus headaches are being remanded for further evaluation. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, status post septoplasty, and denied higher ratings. TDIU is granted beginning April 6, 2012.