Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent rating since April 29, 2015.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 40 percent rating since April 29, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right hip fracture, and left hip fracture as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to lack of current diagnoses. The claims are remanded as the Veteran's TBI and headache disorder need further evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, which he claims is related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated disc, L4-5. The issue has been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claims are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for degenerative disc and arthritis disease from February 2012 to June 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are granted as direct service connection. The low back disorder is not found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for higher disability ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar strain/sprain and degenerative disc disease are found to be related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claim. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 10 percent since October 2012. The Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on functional loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new evidence and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling from August 29, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent disabling beginning January 20, 2017.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and sarcoidosis of the right lower lip. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD, lack of VA examinations for other disabilities, and need for additional development related to exposure to asbestos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, all secondary to a service-connected bilateral ankle disorder.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service. The VA examiners have opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to age and obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for invertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in a June 2009 rating decision and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, to include as secondary to PTSD, has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted to this extent only.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in a July 2013 rating decision and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been granted as it is presumed related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, and right ankle disabilities as the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a bilateral knee condition, back condition, and headaches. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of hearing loss meeting VA criteria. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient information in previous examinations.,Further examination and clarification are needed before a decision can be made on this matter.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including tendinitis and osteoarthritis, began during his last period of active service.,His right hand and left hand disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service. The right hand disability was aggravated by service, while the left hand disability did not undergo an increase in severity during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is presumed to have existed prior to service and began during his last period of active service.,His right knee disability, including tendinitis and osteoarthritis, preexisted service but was aggravated by service. The left ear status post tympanoplasty disability began during active service.