Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right wrist conditions due to outstanding records, including private treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Board also ordered a new etiological opinion on both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, ischemic heart disease, and various gunshot wound residuals, have resulted in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the back condition and arthritis of both feet are denied.,The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for the right foot condition.,The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for the left foot condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back strain, left foot condition, right foot condition, and left knee condition are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent prior to January 28, 2020 and 20 percent from January 28, 2020. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for any period of time.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right and left knee disabilities are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, and right foot hallux valgus.,An initial rating higher than 10 percent for right elbow osteoarthritis prior to August 2, 2018 has been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar scars, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and lumbar degenerative disc disease have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including evaluations for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, degenerative disc disease, calcaneal spur of the right heel, and left hip. The Veteran will need additional examinations and opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved medical questions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for lower back condition, bilateral knee condition, and skin condition (porphyria cutanea tarda).

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his higher ratings for various disabilities and effective date claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, left leg and right leg varicose veins, lumbar degenerative disc disease, impairment of the left hip/thigh, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, left hip arthritis/limitation of flexion, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, and right hip strain, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied for ratings higher than the current 10 percent prior to January 6, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing no limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment since November 27, 2013. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a back disability, a lung spot, groin area itch, and an acquired psychiatric condition are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,New and material evidence has been submitted in support of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and unclear periods of active duty. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, including back condition, neck condition, neuropathy of the left upper extremity (LUE), and sarcoidosis.