Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating due to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent and 40 percent for her service-connected right lumbosacral plexopathy due to a lack of recent VA examination, and for consideration of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran and her representative have provided a study suggesting a potential link, which needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with DDD and spinal stenosis, right knee PFS with DJD, and left knee PFS with DJD are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Right and left knee conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations without considering any potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,For the extraschedular evaluations of left ankle instability and right ankle sprains, the Board also denied them, stating there was no evidence to suggest they were due to obesity or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms, need for additional VA examinations, and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating greater than 10 percent for low back strain, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's TBI was granted, and the effective date is September 26, 2007.,Tinnitus has a maximum rating of 10 percent, which is already assigned. No higher ratings are available.

The Board has restored the disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and residuals of right radius fracture to their previous levels due to insufficient evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with notification and examination scheduling, and the Veteran is required to provide additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities. The decision also includes a request for an initial compensable disability rating for migraine headaches. A new examination is required for each issue.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness and vertigo, but denied service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current dizziness/vertigo is related to his military service, while the low back disability is not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left third and fourth fingers, right ankle, low back disability, left shin scar, PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, stress fracture of the left tibia, right shoulder disability (prior to April 21, 2014), right clavicle disability, and right wrist disability have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection of right fifth finger disability are also denied.,The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disability, left shin scar, and PTSD as there is no case or controversy with respect to these issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective from May 21, 2014. The left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as hands) is granted a rating of 40% effective from May 7, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as her back and neck disabilities, are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inability to verify the Veteran's service treatment and personnel records, which are necessary for a proper determination of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder and left Achilles tendon laceration may have pre-existed service or been aggravated by service, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for low back disability. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability is remanded, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.