Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee injury is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to medical complexity and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed with additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's anxiety and left shoulder disability are granted, but the lumbar spine disability requires further examination to determine its severity. The service connection for these conditions is determined based on direct evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided by Dr. O.Z.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's foot and back conditions. The issues of service connection for bilateral flat feet and low back disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain from October 30, 2008.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for left total knee replacement. The Veteran's claims for service connection of back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to exposure to loud noise during active duty, with continuous symptoms since separation.,Service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted based on chronic disease presumptive under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) and continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal is partially granted, with a disability rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and remanded for further evaluation on the issue of a higher disability rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his functional limitations caused by his service-connected disabilities, and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the evaluation of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 30% rating, but no higher, for the period prior to May 9, 2018. The Board also remanded several other claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including psoriasis, lumbar spine disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine sprain with degenerative arthritis and left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis due to incomplete development of medical opinions addressing potential ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to lack of recent VA examinations and the Veteran's assertion that his conditions have worsened.