Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with spondylolysis and degenerative disc disease is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective the entire appeal period. The Veteran's left knee strain remains rated at 10 percent, and his hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right hip disability, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for the residuals of a contusion of the chest wall and lung. The reasons for remand include obtaining missing service treatment records from May 1967 to June 1967, providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, and issuing an SOC in response to his NOD.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck condition, low back condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, memory problems, and cervical strain. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.,There is no current diagnosis or qualifying pain documented in the medical records provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's disability rating for cervical strain with multilevel degenerative disc disease was restored from 20% to 30% effective September 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression and a back condition is granted, with the exception that additional development is required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, lumbosacral and thoracic sprain, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and service connection of tension headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is remanded due to uncertainty about whether he has ankylosis of his spine, which could affect his disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for a lumbar strain and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 22, 2012. The appellant requested withdrawal of these appeals.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 60 percent, excepting the period from July 17, 2015 to October 31, 2015. A temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery was granted.,Service connection for right and left knee disabilities remains pending as additional evidence or examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities and lumbar spine disability are related to his service, including any in-service injuries or events.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for right ear hearing loss and a back disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records from Group Health and Tacoma South Medical Center, and to provide the Veteran with VA medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and temporal lobe syndrome. The lumbar spine disorder is being considered secondary to the service-connected temporal lobe syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and low back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of any current disabilities related to his military service.

The claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for a low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted in November 2011, with a 10% rating effective July 25, 2007. The RO increased the ratings to 20% effective October 23, 2013.,For the period prior to September 19, 2013, the Veteran's back condition was not more than 10%, and for the period between September 19, 2013 and March 20, 2018, it was not more than 20%. Since July 1, 2018, a 40% rating has been granted.

The Veteran's back disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to assess its current severity.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection as they were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including those related to lower back disability, upper right jaw disability, left shoulder disability, arthritis, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his chronic lumbosacral sprain was denied. For the period prior to April 8, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted. From April 8, 2020 forward, a rating in excess of 40 percent is also not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disorders. The Veteran's current tinnitus disorder is etiologically related to his second period of active service.