Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as she does not have a current disability.,The Veteran’s breast cancer with lumpectomy, including as due to exposure to hazardous materials, and her psychiatric disorder including PTSD (due to military sexual trauma and/or as secondary to breast cancer) claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's GERD claim is remanded in conjunction with the breast cancer claim.,The Veteran’s left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left upper extremity condition (secondary to cervical spine condition), and right upper extremity condition (secondary to cervical spine condition) claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's left lower extremity and right lower extremity conditions are also remanded in conjunction with the breast cancer claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for lumbar spondylosis and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim, are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow for proper procedural steps.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine condition, and remanded it for further development.

An increased disability rating of 40 percent for lumbar disorder is granted effective April 1, 2008.,A higher disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 1, 2008, and a compensable rating thereafter for TBI with cephalgia are denied.

The Veteran's low back strain with osteoarthritic changes was granted a 40% rating from October 16, 2018. Prior to December 29, 2010, the condition warranted a 10% rating and from December 29, 2010 to October 16, 2018, it warranted a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for mechanical low back pain, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, and TDIU due to unresolved legal or factual questions.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to a disability rating exceeding 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability should be remanded due to new and relevant evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's request to reopen service connection for a back disorder is denied. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is granted, but the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to ensure that the examinations comply with specific regulations regarding testing and flare-ups. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, other than pes planus, have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep disorder, but has remanded his remaining service connection claims due to insufficient evidence. The decision also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's heart condition (syncope) is not service connected. The claims for right and left hip disabilities secondary to the back disability are granted, as well as the claim for depressive disorder due to service-connected migraines, knee disabilities, and a back disability. The rating for migraines remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities were not incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a rating higher than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her low back disability and associated right lower extremity peroneal nerve palsy was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or forward flexion limited to at least 30 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain was evaluated at a 20% rating prior to July 23, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and middle back disabilities are granted service connection. The claims for PTSD, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability remain pending with new examinations required. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his record, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued before any final decision can be made.

The Veteran's initial higher rating for Headache Syndrome prior to August 12, 2015 was denied. A 50% disability rating is granted from that date onwards. The claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for Right Hip Degenerative Arthritis and Left Hip Degenerative Arthritis are remanded. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Syndrome is also remanded.