Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability, as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain such an examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as they have withdrawn the appeal seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left shoulder conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded as there was an inadequate pre-decisional medical opinion based on in-service audiograms only.,The Veteran's chronic renal insufficiency claim is remanded as the PACT Act requires additional procedural rights, including review of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) and toxic exposure examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity scars are granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The left ankle strain/sprain is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 10 percent. Service connection for PTSD and lumbar spine condition are also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. Since September 26, 2020, the disability remains rated at 10 percent and also denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limited range of motion or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as there was no increase in the disabilities within one year prior to June 8, 2021.,The Veteran did not file a claim of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity associated with a thoracolumbar spine disability prior to June 8, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, cervical degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, left hip strain, and right hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (back disability) has been denied.,New evidence received after the December 2015 rating decision, including allegations related to military training and exercises, is relevant to the claims of service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for a lower back disability was granted, allowing him to qualify for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of August 15, 2008 for both TDIU and DEA benefits due to service-connected disabilities including lumbar spinal degeneration, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine scoliosis as new evidence did not show a superimposed injury during service.

The Board has decided that service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus. The low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and adjustment/mood disorder claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address his claims of service connection for various knee, headache, low back, and shoulder disorders. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination, as her current rating may be incorrect due to the passage of time since her last VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including dyslipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, right knee and left knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The decision is based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.