Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, left-hand disorder, and back disorder are remanded due to incomplete development. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than May 30, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and denied increased ratings for various knee disabilities, left knee disability (impairment of knee due to instability), right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not based on exposure to specific environmental factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and/or migraines, as well as a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and missing private treatment records. The appellant's back disability claim is being reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine surgical scar associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine and herniated disc, status post spinal fusion is denied. The claims for service connection for right foot disorder and right ankle disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his active duty service, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and left ankle lateral ligament laxity disabilities have been granted a compensable rating of 10 percent each.

An effective date of May 20, 1998 is granted for the addition of the Veteran's spouse, T.R.B., to his award of VA disability compensation.,An effective date of December 1, 2004 is granted for the removal of the Veteran's spouse, T.R.B., from his award of VA disability compensation.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are granted with an effective date of January 22, 2009. The effective dates for both benefits are contingent on the permanent total service-connected disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and left hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's left foot disability is found to be aggravated by his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a disability of the thoracolumbar spine. However, due to errors in obtaining necessary records from SSA and the appellant's service personnel records, the case is being remanded.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol abuse disorder.,The claim for service connection for right facial Bell's Palsy is remanded.,The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, bilateral feet is dismissed. The claim to reopen a back disability is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for sinusitis (claimed as congestion) is granted. The claims for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent prior to July 13, 2018.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as due to herbicide exposure. The low back disability remains at a 40% rating, with no change in the rating for neuropathy or erectile dysfunction. Right ear hearing loss and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new examination to address whether the Veteran's low back disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a current diagnosis for the Veteran's claimed back condition and because no VA examiner has opined sufficiently on the nature, etiology, and functional impairment of the Veteran's asserted back condition. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, a bilateral foot disability, a stomach disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted after the Veteran's hearing.