Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and right hip disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate retrospective assessments of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, headaches, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran's low back disability was reduced from 40 to 20 percent, but the Board restored the prior 40 percent rating effective January 1, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's neck disability is not secondary to service-connected foot disabilities and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury. The low back disability claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves was granted, with specific ratings assigned. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination prior to December 23, 2016.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether it is related to service or proximately due to his service-connected inguinal hernia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and provide a supplemental medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of each disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he had such an injury during his active service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent prior to August 19, 2014, and 20 percent thereafter, is remanded for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical records regarding the nature of the injuries sustained during service.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a higher rating of 40 percent from November 8, 2019, but his left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 40 percent. Both conditions are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 30 percent effective June 24, 2019.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent after March 1, 2017, and 50 percent prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected TBI is not entitled to a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated as 30 percent effective March 3, 2017.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's forward flexion did not reach 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for acid reflux, sinusitis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shin splints, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the service treatment records.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted service connection, while his back disability remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, hypertension, right foot and left foot disabilities, and hip disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and opiate use disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claims for spleen disability and right knee scar.,The claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and potential SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also required to undergo further medical examinations related to his knee, hip, back, neck, arthritis, foot, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, eye, lung, and hearing loss conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, specifically prior to November 5, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted.