Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of PTSD rating and sleep disorder. The decision on these issues is pending.

Service connection for a left leg disability is granted. Service connection for a right hip disability, to include as secondary to service-connected low back disability, and tinnitus (to include as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease or hypertension) are remanded.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy as of July 20, 2015. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability. The Board found that these disabilities are related to the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability necessitates the use of a left knee brace, which causes wear and tear on his pants. The Board finds that an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2015 is granted due to this condition.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 24, 2003 for the awards of service connection for degenerative joint disease, left knee patellofemoral syndrome; mild degenerative joint disease, right knee chondromalacia patella; and thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the total knee arthroplasty with residual pain and weakness, is granted as service-connected. The issues of arthritis in all joints (excluding left shoulder and right knee), low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 12, 2012 and at 20 percent thereafter. The rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is also 20 percent.,An effective date earlier than March 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing back condition existed prior to his active duty and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but has remanded the issues of right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, as well as increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's back disability, which includes a compression fracture at T-9 with multiple degenerative discs, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his active military service.

The Board has referred the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and a skin disorder to the RO for further consideration. The Veteran's claim for warts is denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that his pre-existing back condition did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, lumbar degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and right-ear hearing loss was received on November 28, 2014. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied. A higher initial disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted, but no higher. The claims for left lateral epicondylitis and laceration scar on the vertex of the scalp are both denied.

The claim for service connection of a lower back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims, and there is no current disability or relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hammertoes and lumbar spine disability due to conflicting evidence and lack of a definitive opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service-connected pes planus.