Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee degenerative joint disease, as well as effective dates for these conditions.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders due to the Veteran's in-service physical labor and complaints of pain since active duty.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 50 percent effective June 18, 2012. The temporary total disability rating for degenerative disc disease with arthritis from September 12, 2014 to September 29, 2014 is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and chondromalacia of the left patellofemoral joint are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 16, 2018 and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date onwards.,The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was denied a higher than 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's left ankle strain was denied a higher than 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and costochondritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision regarding service connection for chronic lumbar degenerative disease with secondary multiple level disc degeneration. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again, and a new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and sleep apnea disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right hip are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the current existence of a right knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's service-connected right hip osteoarthritis is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his hypothyroidism and sleep apnea service connection claims, and the arthritis, back condition, neck condition, high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer residuals, coronary artery disease, scar due to coronary artery bypass grafting, scar due to radical prostatectomy, PTSD, and rating increase claims have all been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 14, 2017, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracic and lumbar scoliosis, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, and status post lumbar laminectomy has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is remanded for a new VA examination to assess functional loss and range of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity paresthesia (left ulnar neuropathy) as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The reduction in evaluation from 40% to 30% for the left shoulder disability was found to be proper.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for back disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's Schmorl’s nodes of the lumbar spine are found to be etiologically related to her active service and service connection is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multilevel spondyloarthropathy with disc bulging (claimed as low back pain) and right knee meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as severe lumbar spondylosis, severe degenerative disc disease at L4/5 and L5/S1, and L4/5 and L5/S1 spondylolisthesis, is attributable to service. As such, the claim for service connection has been granted.