Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar strain with arthritis due to incomplete information in the VA examination report. The examiner was asked to determine if any lumbar disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active service, and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right foot, and left foot disorders due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to service. The appeal is REMANDED for further development regarding the Veteran's knee and OSA claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and panic disorder, as secondary to the service-connected right hip disability. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is also granted. The Veteran's right foot neuritis (previously claimed as right foot numbness) is granted as secondary to her now service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and respiratory disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the low back, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The case is remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's back disability is not related to service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's asthma was not caused or aggravated by service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered to have had their onset during active duty service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions.,A right knee/leg disability is not related to service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after his previous denial, and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain is rated at 40 percent effective February 20, 2020. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been increased to 40 percent effective the same date.,A separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right sciatic and femoral nerves are currently rated at 40 percent, 20 percent, and 20 percent respectively. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis of the neck due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, but her left ear hearing loss and issues related to low back strain, migraines, umbilical hernia, and uterine fibroids are denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The left ankle and bilateral foot disorders are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's left ankle disorder and bilateral foot disorder, including hammer toes, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and right upper extremity, hypertension, and arthritis.,There is no evidence showing that any of these conditions began during active service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating from November 2, 2018 to July 31, 2019. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were denied increased ratings prior to August 1, 2019, while the right and left knee disabilities were denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are each granted a 10 percent rating, and her right shoulder sprain is granted a 40 percent rating. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete remand directives. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated for their potential impact on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his in-service bone graft and his current low back condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection based on his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for spine disability, hypertension, and lipoma. The claim for service connection for an eye disability was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20% and denied for an increased rating prior to August 18, 2015, and in excess of 20% thereafter.