Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and heart disability as well as his PTSD rating and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his current condition and his active duty service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection based on his service-connected right knee and/or bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent prior to December 5, 2016 and 40 percent thereafter. The appeal has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Board has not awarded a higher rating.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability and kidney cancer are both remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for a cervical spine disorder, and TDIU due to incomplete examinations and conflicting evidence.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied as there was no prior claim on a standard form prescribed by the Secretary. A rating of 70 percent for recurrent major depressive disorder with alcohol/drug use disorder from October 6, 2015 but not earlier is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back pain and cervical spine strain. The evidence submitted since the last final denial supports a finding that these conditions are related to service, including a fall in 2001 and an injury in 2003. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy were granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The claims for increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability has been denied. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases or Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disorder.

Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, a back disorder, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's recurrent yeast/bacterial infections, headaches, cellulitis of the left thigh, hidradenitis suppurativa, an epidermal inclusion cyst of the scalp and residuals thereof, and back disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, compress spine fracture (back disability), plantar fasciitis, and bilateral heel spurs have been denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature of his back disability and sleep apnea, as well as to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: hypertension and chronic lumbar strain, due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 2, 2009.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied them based on the lack of new and material evidence. The claims for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, rash, back of neck and face, limitation of flexion of the knees, left knee pain, right knee pain, lower back injury (claimed as back conditions), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and headaches have been reopened but remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a left shoulder disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection and rating for additional development.