Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for arthritis of the knees and a back disability have been reopened, but denied on their merits. The claim for skin disease of the face has also been reopened, but denied on its merits.,The Veteran's laceration scar of the left lower leg remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with loss of lumbar lordosis is denied. The claims for service connection for neck disorder, seizures, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. A TDIU is granted beginning no later than August 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder and peripheral nerve disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left transverse distal femur fracture residuals. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), service connection for an acquired mental disorder, a rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere’s disease, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to evidence suggesting a material worsening of the Veteran's conditions since his last VA examinations in September 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service or service-connected pes planus.,The Board reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbosacral spine and maxillary sinusitis disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's scars from his lumbar spine surgeries are well-healed and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the period prior to August 9, 2017, the Veteran’s depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.,Starting from August 9, 2017, the Veteran's depressive disorder warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.,The effective date for service connection for depressive disorder is March 4, 2015. The Veteran has not provided evidence of an earlier claim or intent to apply for benefits prior to this date.,For the period prior to August 9, 2017, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic low back pain and chronic right ankle pain, finding that these conditions began during service and are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted, including for sleep disorder, chronic fatigue, dermatitis, hernia, low back disability, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The issues are related to reopening previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right eye impairment, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and lumbar spine spondylosis, status post surgeries due to procedural issues with the March 2009 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back degenerative disc disease, left ankle arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was granted a 20% rating effective April 17, 2017. Prior to that date, the condition warranted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to secondary service-connected bilateral foot hallus valgus. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are manifested by at least painful and limited motion. The Board has granted a rating of at least 10 percent for each knee disability, but the appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities. However, as he is now eligible for this benefit, the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from Missouri Correctional facilities and VA treatment records prior to December 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, joint pain, respiratory disability (asthma/lung condition), heart disability, and diabetes mellitus were denied in March 2008. The appeals for these issues have been granted.,An effective date of February 20, 2008 was granted for service connection for PTSD.

Service connection for hearing loss has been reconsidered and reopened.,Service connection for hypertension was denied.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted with an effective date of August 20, 2003.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted but the effective date is earlier than November 6, 2014.