Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The low back disorder case is denied.

The Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The skin condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disorder, right hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not service-connected.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a respiratory disability (bronchitis), with no specific effective date provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for release of his private treatment records from Precision Fabric and Pleasant Garden Family Medicine.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2021.,Separate initial ratings of 10 percent each are granted for sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities from May 5, 2009 to May 5, 2013. Effective May 15, 2013, separate initial ratings of 10 percent each are granted.,Separate initial ratings higher than 10 percent for sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities from May 15, 2013 to March 5, 2020 are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in his VA examination reports. The issues include left leg, left knee, sleep disorder, residuals of cold weather injuries, and low back disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the etiology of these conditions, with some opinions suggesting they are related to service.

Service connection granted for Grave's disease (hypothyroidism) and readjudication of the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is required. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder (arthritis), and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection, increased rating, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee condition and a lower back condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite, low back disability, asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not incurred or aggravated during active duty and did not have its onset within one year of separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current low back disability is less likely than not caused by or related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for HNP of the lumbar spine with DJD and IVDS, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain with DJD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for status post left ankle reconstruction with DJD, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The VA will need to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from Cheyenne VAMC, and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease has been rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified reaction to severe stress and depression, is granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor. Service connection for a right knee disorder is denied because the preexisting condition did not worsen during service. Service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbar strain and bilateral facet hypertrophy is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his bilateral knee conditions and associated disabilities, finding that none of his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board also found no evidence of unemployability due to these disabilities alone.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to her active duty service.,The Board denied service connection for a back disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking the condition to her active duty service.,The Board granted service connection for psoriasis on a direct basis, finding that the condition began during her active duty service.