Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claims for back condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor verification process is ongoing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's back disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU rating, but has remanded the evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar sacral strain.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to the use of a skin medication (Capsaicin Cream) and a back brace. The Board found that the Capsaicin Cream did not cause irreparable damage to outergarments, while the back brace claim requires additional evidence.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to December 10, 2013. A separate 10 percent rating for painful limitation of extension of the right knee is granted from December 10, 2013 to January 10, 2015. From January 11, 2015 onwards, a 40 percent rating for total right knee replacement is granted.,Throughout the appeal period, left knee arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the issue was fully granted in a previous decision. The Board also remanded the case to consider an increased rating for low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, but an additional VA examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for the left ankle disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic low back condition, left knee status post meniscectomy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to October 2, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification of employment status.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability and service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity. The Veteran's VA treatment records since December 2016 must be obtained and associated with the claims file. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his low back disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding the lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, right hip condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lower back disability and an effective date earlier than April 25, 2011 for his TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a lower back disability related to military service and that he did not file any formal or informal claims for TBI prior to April 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left and right thigh disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and GERD. The remaining issues are pending further examination and evaluation.

New evidence has been submitted, and the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10% and granted for a period from September 11, 2017 to November 9, 2017. Service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are denied. The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not rated higher than 10%.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.