Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a back disability, a left wrist disability, and a right wrist disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected conditions and effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back condition was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as audiometric testing results were within normal limits. For the low back condition, the Board determined there was no causal link to active duty service based on medical evidence and an examiner's opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to service. The decision also remanded the issues regarding peripheral neuropathy of the lower left and right extremities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability has been granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection of radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and dizziness and reduced equilibrium have all been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to inconsistencies in his claims file, including VA medical records and examination reports that do not fully support his assertion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the dates of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as the exact date of a motor vehicle accident in 1988. The Veteran is also required to provide legible versions of military pay vouchers and obtain authorization from VA to release private medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for DDD of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent, asbestosis is rated at zero percent, and a right hip disorder was not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss claims are dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal for these conditions. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and right foot conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reserve service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a memory disorder. The Veteran's migraines are granted with a 50% rating, effective from initial entitlement. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis and it is not at least as likely as not related to in-service events or diseases.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and bilateral leg disability due to the complexity of the medical issues involved. The case will be returned to VA for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for back disability (to include as secondary to bilateral knee disability) and bilateral ankle disability (to include as secondary to bilateral knee disability) have also been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 28, 2017 for service connection are denied. The cases of left elbow and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and hypertensive heart disease with syncope. The claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee condition, and lower bilateral nerve damage due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as lumbosacral strain, status post T11 compression fracture with fusion of T10-T11, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.